Council named best at transport awards

South Lanarkshire Council has been honoured at the Scottish Transport Awards.

The council scooped the local transport authority of the year gong at the awards in Glasgow.

Among the projects highlighted was the controversial Cathkin Relief Road.

Working in partnership with others, the authority also:

Invested £5 million over five years in cycle routes throughout the area. Invested £1.1m in traffic signal. Enhanced bus stop infrastructure. Invested in a public charging network for electric vehicles.

Invested in park and ride.

Commissioned the development of a strategy to target investment in park and ride facilities.

Reduced casualties on roads through the implementation of road safety engineering and education measures. There was an average annual reduction in accidents along treated locations of 58 per cent.

During winter routinely treated over 1000km of the road network and almost 100km of footways on a precautionary basis.

Invested over £100m in road-related assets improving the condition of carriageways, bridges and traffic signals.

A comprehensive bridge strengthening programme.

Improved the lighting infrastructure, investing £25.5 million in LED technology and to renew columns.

Picking up the award on behalf of the council were Gordon Mackay, head of roads and transportation services, and Colin Park, engineering manager.

Gordon Mackay said: “We are very proud of our sustainable, integrated, partnership approach, which ensures that our residents and businesses can access a safe and reliable transport network that meets their developing needs.

“This award highlights all the areas where the council is delivering genuine improvements across the transport-related asset group and for those living, working and travelling in South Lanarkshire.”