When the M8 motorway was built in 1970, instead of building a bridge to take it over the Union Canal, it was simply laid straight across, blocking the waterway. Because this was such a serious blockage, a more complex solution than simply building a bridge has had to be found. A new canal cut has been made, diverting it 100 metres to the south, where the motorway is higher up. A bridge has been constructed to take the motorway across this new section of canal, giving enough headroom for boats and towpath walkers to pass through underneath.

The M8 motorway blockage from the west side, before restoration started. The road surface is only a few feet above the canal water level at this point.

This picture, taken 31/5/99, shows work beginning on the site of the new bridge. Note that because the bridge is being built 100 metres to the south of the canal and the towpath is on the north side, it is not very easy to photograph. If nothing else, these photos illustrate how far the canal has had to be diverted at this obstruction. In this picture, the bridge works are towards the right hand side, and the old blockage is on the far left.

The abutments of the new bridge are visible as two grey rectangles towards the right in this picture of the site on 25/6/99.

This picture, taken 11/3/2000 by Dr Carl Moores, shows the new bridge from the east (Ratho) side. The structure appears to be largely complete by this time, but obviously there is a lot of work still to be done on the canal before boats can sail under it.

The completed bridge, photographed by Dr Carl Moores on 27/4/2000. Boaters can cruise between Ratho and Broxburn for the first time in thirty years, and towpath walkers no longer have to follow a mile and a half diversion to get past the motorway!

The bridge from underneath. Because the canal is so narrow compared to the motorway, it has the appearance of being a concrete tunnel rather than a bridge! Taken 27/4/2000 by Dr Carl Moores.

Navigation between Ratho and Linlithgow has been restored, and is already being appreciated! This picture, taken 7/5/2000, shows Pride of the Union, a restaurant barge from Ratho, navigating the new bridge.

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