M74 Media Information Pack
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Making Complete Sense
A vital piece of the West of Scotland's motorway network is missing. As a result the M8 has congestion with traffic diverting through densely populated areas and stifling the economy, not just of Glasgow, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, but of the entire West of Scotland. This missing piece is the M74 Completion Project.
Transport is a top priority for the Scottish Executive. Whoever we are, whatever we do, travel is an integral part of our lives. And so, improving our transport system will improve our quality of life.
The Scottish Executive has given the green light for the completion of the M74 motorway. Preparations for the project began in October 2001, when the Scottish Executive signed a formal partnership agreement with three councils - Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.
The new link will be a three-lane motorway, with hard shoulders, along a five mile route from Fullarton Road Junction, near Carmyle in Glasgow, to the M8 motorway, just west of the Kingston Bridge. Three full four-way junctions will be built at Fullarton Road, Cambuslang Road and Polmadie Road, with a two-way junction constructed at Kingston.
The Benefits
The West of Scotland accounts for 60% of Scotland's manufactured goods, and businesses have to rely on the increasingly congestedM8 to reach their markets. The new link will dramatically improve just-in-time delivery, increasing business competitiveness.
Completion of the M74 will be a major boost for people and businesses by reducing journey times across Glasgow. It will improve access along the entire Clyde corridor, and make it easier to catch flight connections from Glasgow Airport.
More than 12,000 jobs could be created as the regenerated area attracts inward investment. The M74 project will also create an estimated 350 jobs over the three year construction period.
The M74 will go through areas of disused land and old industrial sites, which will be landscaped, and contaminated land dealt with.
Completing the M74 will reduce traffic and accidents on local roads.
As traffic moves onto the M74 local communities will benefit from quieter roads, leading to improved public transport, and cycle and pedestrian facilities.
The Cost of the M74 Completion
The estimated cost of the road is 250 million at today's prices. Most of the funding will be provided by the Scottish Executive reflecting the strategic importance of the road to Scotland, as a whole. The three council partners - Glasgow City, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire - are contributing to the project, recognising the importance of the scheme to the local economy. The project is also supported by the CBI, the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Airports, other local authorities, and private sector companies.
The Road Ahead
The M74 Completion project is to be taken forward by the Scottish Executive with Glasgow City Council as the lead Agent.
A project design team has been set up to deliver the project. This team will identify the line of the proposed route to go forward to public consultation. At that stage people will have the opportunity to express their views on the project. A Public Local Inquiry may then be formally called to hear the views of those for and against the project.
Proposed Timetable to Completion
For further information contact:
M74 Completion Glasgow City Council
Richmond Exchange 20 Cadogan Street Glasgow G2 7AD
Telephone 0141 287 8777
www.m74completion.com