TALKING POLITICS Refinements are still needed on motorway improvement project

The M8/M73/M74 motorway improvement project is an issue which I have touched on before.

Works for this began in 2014 during which local residents, and particularly commuters in Airdrie, Coatbridge and throughout Lanarkshire, patiently negotiated the roadworks through many months of disruption.

There is absolutely no doubt that, in the long term, the improvements have resulted in a significant improvement to commuting times.

However, it is evident from the concerns highlighted by constituents that there are problems with certain aspects of the project.

A key issue, for example, is the absence of vital signage at major junctions; since completion of the works I have raised this problem with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, many times. In addition, concerns have been expressed about the new road layout at and around the Shawhead and Bellshill junctions.

These include confusing road markings, the absence of a filter when travelling from Bellshill towards Shawhead and traffic-light timings which cut it very fine for vehicles to clear the lights before oncoming traffic approaches.

Some constituents also maintain there is a lack of adequate street lighting at key junctions and that there is noise pollution at spots.

I both readily acknowledge and warmly welcome benefits realised by this project, but it is nonetheless crucial that the Scottish Government listens and acts on concerns raised.

For this reason, I have written to the relevant cabinet secretary, Keith Brown, to request that a postconstruction consultation is carried out with Transport Scotland and the Scottish Roads Partnership.

This would provide the opportunity for the views of the general public, local businesses and commuters to be heard and the necessary adjustments made.

On a different subject, it was good to have the chance to speak in the Parliament in favour of the retention of the threatened greenbelt just south of Airdrie and Coatbridge.

Developers want to build thousands of homes and amenities over a large swathe of this land; a three-mile square site containing fields and woods between the M8, Carnbroe, Cairnhill and Calderbank, on the outskirts of Airdrie.

It comprises two estates, Woodhall and Faskine – the latter area is one my family has had a long association with, as my father was born and brought up on Faskine Farm where he lived until he was a young man.

Furthermore, the land has significant historical interest, boasting the Monklands Canal which in the 19th century was one of the busiest in Britain, transporting around one-anda-half million tonnes of coal and iron ore a year.

There are remnants of the listed Woodhall Estate country house, and one of Scotland’s earliest railways.

Despite this, it is countryside now set to be destroyed and lost forever – the peace and serenity which hundreds of local people enjoy will be lost forever, together with the flora and fauna; all to be replaced by traffic congestion and pollution.

While new and affordable social housing is necessary and development is inevitable, it is vital that brownfield sites are developed first. Only if there are compelling reasons should our greenbelt areas, such as the Faskine and Woodhall estates, be considered for development.

I pay tribute to the “Save Woodhall and Faskine” group, local campaigners who have worked tirelessly to preserve these areas for the enjoyment of future generations.

Campaign Save Woodhall and Faskine action group have taken their battle to the Scottish Parliament