Last minute u-turn over Stewartfield Way plans
Partial dualling and roundabout to be considered
NICOLA FINDLAY
The controversial dualling of Stewartfield Way has taken a U-turn after a heated public consultation and calls for plans to be ditched.
South Lanarkshire Council have revealed a change of course in a report which was due to go before it’s executive committee this week but was cancelled along with other council meetings due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Proposals put to the public at the end of last year would have seen the entire length of Stewartfield Way dualled as part of a £62million City Deal project to boost economic growth.
However, in the report to SLCs executive committee the preferred option following the consultation is only dualling the section between the James Hamilton Heritage Loch junction (at the eastern end of Stewartfield Crescent) eastwards to the Kingsgate/roundabout.
Proposals to introduce a new roundabout at the Playsport access and to widen the existing dual carriageway between Kingsgate and Mavor Avenue roundabout are being retained.
A study by financial experts KPMG said the project could be worth around £570million to the East Kilbride area but there was no clear explanation of how this was calculated.
But campaigners slammed SLC for ploughing ahead with a project which flew in the face of the climate emergency declared by the Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
And with the project expected to take three years to complete there could have been significant environmental damage during the construction alone.
Independent Councillor David Watson has been a vocal opponent of the plans and is backing the revamped proposal but said he remained “cautious”.
He told the News: “The report goes a long way in allaying a number of the concerns raised by local constituents before and during the consultation.
“I have been pushing for a few years for the Council to stop wasting time and money and consult with the local community, and at least that has now taken place.
“The proposal for this stretch of road should still meet criteria of value for money and also comply with up to date ecological and environmental conditions and legislation.”
The report also highlights that there will be an improved walkway and cycle lane the length of the road as well as improved public transport infrastructure.
Councillor Watson added that he welcomed this but bus companies needed “to buy into servicing this area”.
SNP East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani said: “First and foremost, I obviously welcome the fact the council no longer plans to dual the entire stretch of Stewartfield Way.
“It was clear there was an overwhelming feeling from residents that the original plans were unnecessary, causing untold damage at a time of a climate emergency.
“That strength of feeling has been noted and has helped to shape these new proposals. It is positive to see that widening of the road from the Kingsgate direction will end at the Heritage Loch, with plans for a local access lane.”
Tory MSP Graham Simpson and former EK councillor has also repeatedly hit out at plans calling for them to be scrapped.
He said: “This is good news.
“There has been an outbreak of common sense in the council and we must now move forward to make sure that City Deal money is spent on things that will actually improve people’s lives.
“I suggested to the council that they consider using City Deal money to improve park and ride facilities at a new Hairmyres station and that they also use the money to create a network of cycle and walking paths in the town. I am delighted that they have listened.
“I said that if something could be done to improve traffic flows at the Kingsgate end then that would make sense. It’s now incumbent on the council to draw up a scheme which does that.”
Michael McGlynn, executive director of community and enterprise, said: “The proposals in the Executive Committee report represent the approach we are now recommending for Stewartfield Way.
“They take a number of factors into account, including the very extensive feedback we received as part of our wide-ranging and thorough public consultation exercise, and the challenges faced as a result of the global climate emergency.
“It has been clear for many years that Stewartfield Way needs to be improved, to enhance connectivity for residents and businesses.
“The proposals would tackle the main congestion issues that currently affect sections of the road while expanding our plans to further enhance the route and encourage active travel, including a new cycle path and footway, and improvements in access to public transport including the rail network.”