M8 closed for hours in West Lothian during police incidents

Image source, Traffic Scotland

Image caption, Drivers were caught in hour-long queues to exit the motorway

The M8 motorway was closed for hours during two police incidents in West Lothian on Saturday.

Traffic was halted in both directions near Bathgate from 11:25 until 14:45. Police Scotland said this was over "concern for person".

Traffic Scotland said some drivers were caught in hour-long queues to exit the M8 at Junction 3A and Junction 4.

The motorway reopened, but was soon closed again after a five-vehicle crash near Junction 4 at 14:50.

Traffic was stopped in both directions near Whitburn to allow an air ambulance to land.

Westbound lanes reopened at 16:30, but the eastbound carriageway remained closed until 21:15 for collision investigation work.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended and a man was taken to hospital. A 23-year-old man will be reported for careless driving."

The earlier incident is understood to have been safely resolved.