New motorway link planned for village
A proposed new junction on the M9 motorway would improve accessibility to a West Lothian community.
The planned M9 Winchburgh Junction on the B8020 at Duntarvie would be formed by constructing four new slip roads centred around the existing motorway bridge.
It is to be constructed by the developers behind the Winchburgh masterplan that will bring 3800 homes, including 750 affordable homes, of which 450 will be for social rent to address the shortage of housing in the area.
The motorway junction will be served by a new core road which will connect the town centre with the southern roundabout at the new M9 junction.
The planning applications are set to be submitted to West Lothian Council, with work planned to begin in summer 2021, subject to approval.
John Hamilton, chief executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd commented: “This is a major intervention to the motorway network and provides Winchburgh with a direct link to the M9. The new junction has been a core element of the Winchburgh masterplan since its inception and will improve transport connectivity across the central belt. As part of our planning conditions, it was agreed that no more than 1000 residential units shall be occupied in Winchburgh until the new M9 junction is complete and delivery of this project meets that obligation. I would encourage those from the local area and other road users to review the plans online.”
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We welcome the start of public engagement on the proposed motorway junction at Winchburgh. Provision of the junction is an essential part of the infrastructure to support development of the masterplan for Winchburgh and importantly, if approved, will provide direct connections to the proposed business park adjacent to the M9. The council is anticipating the submission of the planning application, and will assess that application in accordance with regulatory requirements when it is submitted.”