The Scottish Roadscast

In this episode of the GMA podcast we discuss John's trip around Scotland's North Coast 500. Did he love it or hate it? Listen now to find out! With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.

In this special edition of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast we celebrate 85 years of the Kincardine Bridge. Join us as we consider the history, planning, design and construction of the project. We discuss recent developments and take a look at why the bridge hasn't swung open in over thirty years! With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.   Music credit: "Drawing Mazes" Poddington Bear From the Free...

In this edition of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast we are discussing the Greater Glasgow Transportation Study, first published in the late 1960s! Join us as we discuss one of the largest transportation studies ever undertaken in the UK. We consider its proposals for a road network and public transport system fit for the (then) future and how hundreds of people worked to make it a reality. We...

In this edition of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast we are talking potholes and carriageway defects! Join us as we discuss how they form, how they are repaired and what we can do to prevent them! We also answer your pothole related questions. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.

In this special edition of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast we celebrate 50 years of the Erskine Bridge. Join us as we consider the history, planning, design and construction of the project. We also consider developments in the last half century and consider why Erskine has become one of Scotland's most iconic structures. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.   Music Credit: “Drawing Mazes” Podi...

Part 2 of a two part series discussing the A1, one of Scotland's least discussed trunk roads. Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight, a road history researcher and GMA member as they take a deep dive into Scotland's east coast link to the north of England.  In part 2 we consider the section of the route from Dunbar to Berwick before discussing potential future developments. Prepare to be b...

Part 1 of a two part series discussing the A1, one of Scotland's least discussed trunk roads. Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight, a road history researcher and GMA member as they take a deep dive into Scotland's east coast link to the north of England.  In part 1 we consider the history of the route before discussing the dual carriageway section from Edinburgh to Dunbar in more detail....

In this episode Stuart and John take a look at the history behind the M77, the main motorway link between Glasgow and Ayrshire. We also discuss the anti-road protests of the 1990s and consider the safety record of the roads it replaced. A few listener questions are squeezed in at the end. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall. Published April 2021.

In this episode of the Glasgow Motorway Archive podcast, John and Stuart chat with Chris Marshall of Roads.org.uk! Chris gives his insights on weird and wonderful aspects of Glasgow's motorway system before discussions move onto Scotland, England and various urban motorway schemes. Not to be missed. With John Hassall and Stuart Baird Released March 2021. Apologies for slight audio distortions.

In this episode Stuart and John take a look at the history behind the Monkland Motorway, one of the most important, but lesser loved sections of the M8. We consider how the disused canal provided a unique opportunity and discuss the planning, design and construction stages. Series 3, Episode 2. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.  

In this episode we discuss the roads projects being taken forward across Scotland as part of City Deal. We also take a deep dive into some upcoming trunk road improvement projects, including the Sheriffhall Roundabout, A82 and A96. Series 3, Episode 1. Released January 2021. With John Hassall and Stuart Baird. Music by Les Willox.

In our 2020 Christmas special, we are taking a deep dive into the history of Ayrshire's extensive dual carriageway system. Covering the A71, A77, A78, A79 and even the A76, we reveal several surprising facts and figures! We also discuss the imminent launch of our brand new website. With Stuart, John and Nick.

We are turning our attention westwards in this episode as we take a deep dive into the A8 and A78 in Inverclyde. Dualled throughout the 1970s and 80s, the A8 has many interesting features and quirks. On the A78 we consider the dualled section at the former IBM plant and a few extra thrown in.   With Stuart Baird and John Hassall. Recorded via Zoom, hence poor audio quality than usual. 

In this episode we take a deep dive into the history of the M73. From its origins to more recent upgrades, we consider whether the motorway is a crucial piece of Glasgow's motorway puzzle or nothing more than an extra long slip road. With John Hassall and Stuart Baird.

PC Nick joins us to give an update on roads policing in Glasgow. We have a particular focus on how the pandemic has changed traffic levels and on future technology. We also discuss our new website, due to launch this December. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.

In this episode we revisit the M8 Renfrew Motorway as it celebrates its 44th birthday. Lots of new things to discuss in this deep delve into its history. We also have an update on our digitisation efforts and some upcoming features. With John Hassall and Stuart Baird.

Part 2 of a two part series discussing the A9, one of Scotland's most important trunk roads. Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight, an A9 history researcher and GMA member as they take a deep dive into one of the UK's longest roads.  In part 2 we consider the sections between Perth to Thurso in more detail. Prepare to be blown away with many new facts, figures and previously untold tales!

Part 1 of a two part series discussing the A9, one of Scotland's most important trunk roads. Stuart and John are joined by Duncan Macknight, an A9 history researcher and GMA member as they take a deep dive into one of the UK's longest roads.  In part 1 we consider the history of the route from Edinburgh to Thurso before discussing the Stirling to Perth section in more detail. Prepare to be blown a...

In this episode Stuart and John discuss 12 of Glasgow's famous streets and how the construction of the motorway affected them. Those covered in Alexandra Parade, Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall.

In this episode, John and Stuart consider urban motorways in the UK and discuss how Glasgow compares. Is Glasgow the best? Or are there better options elsewhere? Tune in and find out. With John Hassall and Stuart Baird   Music by Les Willox.

In this podcast we take a deep dive into the classification of roads across Scotland and the history of network maintenance. Learn about what's trunk or primary, special and unclassified! Following that we look at 60 years of network maintenance. Not one to be missed!   With Stuart Baird and John Hassall. Released 23/07/2020.   Music: “Drawing Mazes” Podington Bear From the Free Music Archive CC B...

In this episode we analyse the history and construction of the M9 Edinburgh to Stirling motorway. Filled with new facts and figures, and with personal anecdotes from original engineers on the job, this podcast is not to be missed! With John Hassall and Stuart Baird.  Released July 10th 2020.

Celebrating 50 years of the M8 Kingston Bridge on June 26th 2020. This is the second part of a two part special. Part 2 covers: the early years of the bridge, the major strengthening and refurbishment works, the bridge today and the future. We also discuss our planned celebrations. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall Revised to correct sound issues.   Music: “Drawing Mazes” Podington Bear From the...

Celebrating 50 years of the M8 Kingston Bridge on June 26th 2020. This is the first part of a two part special. Part 1 covers: planning and design, construction and opening. With Stuart Baird and John Hassall   Music: “Drawing Mazes” Podington Bear From the Free Music Archive CC BY-NC 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

In episode 28 we go back to the 1950s and 60s to determine why the M8 through Glasgow is built where it is! We have a specific focus on the city's Comprehensive Development Areas (CDAs), areas earmarked for complete redevelopment. CDA plans led to the demolition of existing properties, shops and in some cases roads. There were 29 CDAs throughout Glasgow, though only some were taken forward and the...