Mine shafts discovered at Carluke stadium site

The arena, a replacement for Loch Park Stadium in Shieldhill Road which has been sold to Tesco, was originally due to open this August.

This date was put back five weeks due to the horrendous weather over the winter.

Builder Marshall Construction Ltd suffered a further blow with the mine shafts discovery, a situation which stadium developer South Lanarkshire Council is monitoring closely.

A council spokeswoman told the Gazette: "The project is scheduled for handover to the council by the contractor in late September and following a short fit out and commissioning period it is intended to open in early October.

"However, two unrecorded mine shafts have been discovered which may have an impact on these dates. This has yet to be confirmed and the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis."

News of the mine shafts' discovery also hits Tesco's hopes of starting demolition work on the old Loch Park Stadium ahead of opening its new multi million pound, 2750 sq metre store.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Doug Wilson said: "Work on our new store cannot begin until the new stadium opens. We will work with the council to ensure that this happens and we can deliver the new store."

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke Gazette which is in the shops now, priced just 48p.