Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Report reveals major projects going to plan
A report has revealed that the major projects being brought to North Lanarkshire by the Glasgow City Region (GCR) continue to progress according to plan.
The GCR is a joint venture between the Scottish and UK governments as well as local authorities which seeks to deliver more than £1.1 billion in infrastructure improvements to eight council areas.
The relevant projects in North Lanarkshire are A8/M8 corridor access improvements – Eurocentral Park and Ride; Orchard farm roundabout, Glenboig Link Road (already complete); and the Pan-lan Orbital Transport Corridor which consists of the East Airdrie link road, Ravenscraig access infrastructure and the Motherwell town centre transport interchange.
The latest progress report, which was presented to North Lanarkshire Council’s enterprise and growth committee, showed work is continuing on all fronts.
The remodelling of Motherwell rail station is significantly underway and now in Phase 4 which involves widening and improving the station concourse area, while a new customer lounge area at platform level between platforms 2 and 3 has now opened.
Access to the station and platforms for passengers will continue to be maintained throughout the improvements.
The Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure Project will build a dual carriageway from Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility to Motherwell, a bridge crossing under the railway, a junction at Airbles Road/windmillhill Street and improved walking and cycling links.
During the meeting the award of a contract worth around £17 million to Network Rail was also approved for the bridge crossing, a cost which is in line with earlier forecasts and at a time when some other City Region projects have been running 40 per cent over budget.
A public consultation on the East Airdrie Link Road was completed last year, although it was delayed by poor weather, and ground investigation work is now well underway.
With the Eurocentral Park and Ride project having been reviewed with a view to creating a low carbon hub, studies are ongoing and further reports will be presented to the committee.
The Orchardton Farm roundabout is currently being considered for the best way to complement the Mossend International Rail Freight Project, which seeks to create the first “dry port” in Scotland.
The report requested that the council’s chief executive be granted authority to approve an outline business case which can then be approved by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and the City Deal Chief Executives’ Group, which was agreed.
Airdrie South councillor Paul Di Mascio said he was “delighted” that all projects appeared to be going to plan.