Major road plan wins approval

Approval of the funding and business cases are part of the £1.13billion Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal package aimed at boosting the west of Scotland economy.

In addition to North Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire have signed up to the deal.

North Lanarkshire Council Leader and member of the City Deal cabinet, Councillor Jim McCabe said: “The A8/ M8 corridor is ripe for development, as we have seen through the success of EuroCentral and the Maxim business park.

“The Gartcosh/ Glenboig Community Growth Area is also a key plank in the developments.

“Areas like this demand fast, easy access for businesses and householders alike – which is why things like park and ride and car share feature so strongly in our plans.

“It is all very well to create jobs, attract commercial and industrial and encourage housebuilders – but we have to recognise that people must have sound transport links and businesses can reach their markets quickly and easily.”

“This is a long-term plan which will benefit North Lanarkshire and the whole of the west of Scotland.”

In the Gartcosh/Glenboig area more than £66million will be spent on new roads and park and ride facilities, with further development planned for Gartcosh Business Park, Kilgarth and Gartsherrie.

The projects are claimed set to help tackle the slow pace of housing growth potential and stimulate business investment.