MOTORISTS who escaped the weather were forced to endure a six-mile tailback as workers fixed a three-foot hole in the road.
Travel bosses reduced the eastbound A720 between Glasgow and Edinburgh to one lane in order to fix the gaping hazard.
Motorists were furious as they sat in bumper-to-bumper queues for more than an hour – all before the evening rush hour.
Road bosses said the damage was not caused by the weather but insisted it was “necessary” to reduce traffic flow in order to sort the problem.
Motorists took to Twitter to vent their frustration at the slow moving traffic.
James Smith said: “The traffic jam on m8 going to Edinburgh is a catastrophe! I’m on to tight a schedule to get delayed!”
Alexander Valentine wrote: “Traffic going into Edinburgh is literally unbelievable. Haven’t moved in half an hour!!”
And Frazer Cook tweeted: “F*** sake there is a one hour traffic jam to get out of Edinburgh.”
Alison Leitch added: “Edinburgh traffic – two miles in 40 minutes.”
Transport Scotland acknowledged that motorists had to endure unexpected delays.
A spokeswoman said: “There was open damage on the surface of the A720 where it was necessary to carry out repair works.
“The road was reduced to one lane in order for this happen but the road works – carried out by Bear Scotland – were clearing just before 4.30pm.”
