Plans are in motion for town centre

PLANS to enhance East Kilbride town centre and upgrade transport in the area are under way.

Councillors on the Community and Enterprise Resources committee this week approved plans to change elements of the Stewartfield Way City Deal project and include an expansion which will focus on the town centre.

A budget for the project has been set at £ 62.2 million with £ 30m being directed towards infrastructure improvements and £ 32.2m put towards town centre activity.

The project will be split into two parts, with one delivering improvements to the transport infrastructure in East Kilbride and the other focusing on enhancement works for the redevelopment of the town centre.

Chair of the Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, councillor Robert Brown ( Rutherglen South), said: “These are vital steps forward towards a new future for East Kilbride, both the town centre and the transportation network in the Stewartfield Way area.

“The ambitious town centre plans will need considerable investment to deliver the masterplan but the arrangements for Centre West and the new funding available from the City Deal changes will mean we have the ability to move forward quickly on an agreed basis with the administrators of Centre West.

“Stewartfield Way will still see a number of key improvements.

“This includes easing traffic congestion at both the Hairmyres and Kingsgate ends, enhancing bus infrastructure, and improving cycling and walking routes.

“All in all, I am confident these plans and the significant investment that go with them will lead to a bright future for East Kilbride after the decline of recent years.”

Councillors also approved plans for the council to take over Centre West Shopping Centre in the town to convert into a housing development.

Both decisions will now be referred to the council’s Executive Committee for final approval.

The Glasgow City Region Programme Management office will then be asked to approve the Stewartfield Way plans on June 11.