Road latest
Council is confident of timescale
South Lanarkshire Council have insisted the controversial Cathkin Relief Road will be completed before the end of the year.
Concerns had been raised about the pace of work by residents living near the route who feared the project may take longer to complete.
The Cathkin Relief Road will be completed before the end of the year, according to South Lanarkshire Council.
But the authority refused to commit to the November opening date initially stated.
Concerns had been raised by locals about the length of time work was taking.
Residents in Fernhill have been left especially unhappy with temporary traffic lights at both ends of the scheme causing havoc for drivers.
Those were originally expected to be removed this month but will now stay in place at least until the schools return in two weeks’ time.
One resident whose home overlooks the relief road site said: “There doesn’t appear to be much work going on.
“The park is completely destroyed but so far it doesn’t even look like a road is going to be there.
“I’d be surprised if they complete it on time and people here are already unhappy about it.”
But the council this week said they were confident the road would open by the end of the year on budget.
South Lanarkshire Council’s head of roads and transportation, Gordon Mackay, said: “Works are progressing well at the site of the new Cathkin Relief Road and we are in regular contact with our contractor Land Engineering.
“Despite the inclement weather we are confident the bulk earthworks will be substantially completed over the next month or so.
“Construction works have also continued at the Burnside Road/ Cathkin by-pass junction, as well as between the main site compound and the site entrance at Fernhill Road.
“There has also been a start made on the construction of footpaths near George Mann Terrace, Upper Boutree Drive and Larchfield Drive.
“All of these works will continue and the project is on budget and broadly on schedule for completion by the end of this year.
“The programme is subject to continual review to ensure resources are being allocated accordingly and to allow measures to be put in place to manage any developing delays.”
The road has proved controversial over the past few years.
Once complete the £ 21million road will link the junction of Burnside Road and Cathkin Bypass with Fernhill Road near to Croftfoot Road.
Many residents have branded it a waste of money that has destroyed a popular woodland park, but some say it will alleviate traffic on other roads such as Blairbeth Road.
Work on the project started in April. Much of the funding has come from the City Deal between eight local authorities and the UK and Scottish governments.
The project is on budget and broadly on schedule