Members of North Lanarkshire Council have agreed to submit a business case covering the first two phases of the Eurocentral Strategic Active Travel routes to Glasgow City Region for approval, says the Glasgow Times.
The documents concern planned routes from Holytown to Eurocentral and from Whifflet rail station to the M8 active travel route at Shawhead, while the City Region is an organisation combining all eight councils in the Glasgow area dedicated to stimulating economic growth, including improving transport infrastructure and regenerating sites.
Other areas covered by the City Region Deal include support for life sciences, small to medium size businesses, providing opportunities for the unemployed and improving the incomes of workers on low wages.
The council’s business case addresses some of the projects backed by City Deal funding, which has already seen the completion of Glenboig Link Road and the Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange.
A report updating councillors on recent developments with these projects also noted progress made with the East Airdrie Link Road, which was recently modified to improve access to the future replacement for Monklands Hospital, and infrastructure improvements at Ravenscraig which now take the form of two projects, namely a new road connecting Motherwell and Ravenscraig from Airbles Road, and the dualling of Airbles Road between Airbles Farm Road and Hamilton Road as well as providing improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
As part of the Ravenscraig work, the former Cook & Indis and Yesss Electrical buildings have now been demolished, with further preparatory works planned through 2026.
With regard to the Eurocentral active travel projects, detailed design works have now been completed and the tendering documentation for works contracts have been prepared.
Contractors will be appointed via a mini-competition process conducted through Glasgow City Council’s procurement framework and it is planned for work to begin at Holytown this summer and at Whifflet in early 2027, subject to coordination with any other planned works.
City Deal approval is required before the procurement can begin, and a future report seeking approval for the contract to be awarded is planned to be brought before councillors in May.
(Picture: Glasgow City Council)
