Transforming Ravenscraig
A £190 million roads’ programme will boost the regeneration of the former steelworks site at Ravenscraig.
The Glasgow City Region cabinet this week made the announcement which will also create 6,700 jobs.
The approval represents the biggest single roads and infrastructure investment in North Lanarkshire’s history.
The project will effectively join the M74 in the south with the M80 in the north, in a move expected to increase private sector investment in Ravenscraig and across North Lanarkshire. The business case projects that the programme could boost the economy by £360 million.
It will provide new and upgraded roads from the M74 at Motherwell, through the strategic investment site at Ravenscraig to the M8 at Eurocentral, and onward past Airdrie on a new link road to the A73 south of Cumbernauld.
The project will also see an improved public transport hub at Motherwell train station incorporating access improvements, park and ride expansion, active travel links and new public realm works.
Deputy council leader Paul Kelly said: “This is a hugely significant development for Ravenscraig and the communities of Motherwell and Wishaw.
“It is vital that we can attract major investment to Ravenscraig, which is a key development site for the whole North Lanarkshire economy. By creating first class road infrastructure, linking the M74 in the south to the M80 in the North, the site becomes more attractive to future investors.
“Now, as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, Ravenscraig has a new future that will bring much needed jobs, business, housing and services for local people.”
A total of £94 million of the investment will come from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with the balance to be funded through council capital funding and developer contributions.
The £ 1.13billion Glasgow City Region City Deal is an agreement between the UK Government, Scottish Government and eight local authorities across the Glasgow City Region to deliver improved infrastructure, create new jobs, tackle unemployment and drive innovation and growth.
Detailed planning work will now start, with construction expected to begin in 2019.