A public consultation on the preferred route for East Airdrie Link Road has started this week.
North Lanarkshire Council is inviting residents and businesses to give feedback on the proposed two-way single carriageway road which would run from the M8 at Newhouse to north of Riggend.
It would link to the existing A73 dual carriageway with the creation a new large roundabout and would have independent shared pedestrian and cycle ways.
The East Airdrie Link Road is part of the council’s wider Pan-Lanarkshire orbital transport corridor between the M8 and Cumbernauld, supported by investment from the Scottish and UK governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
Following public engagement last year, ground investigations and further assessments of issues affecting the location of the road have been carried out. As a result, the council considers that the proposed route (Option B) is still the best option and now intends to move forward and prepare a planning application.
Full details of the preferred route, including short videos explaining the project, an interactive map and fly-through of the route are available at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/east-airdrie-link-road. The online consultation will run for eight weeks to 23 January 2023.
The consultation also includes a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Report that assesses the route options. A separate questionnaire will be provided on these documents.
“The East Airdrie Link Road is a key development for North Lanarkshire, improving traffic flow and creating connections between residential areas and employment locations to improve access to employment and education opportunities for residents,” said Councillor Ayeshah Khan, Convener of Enterprise and Fair Work Committee.
“We want to ensure the route chosen delivers the best possible outcomes for the area, residents and businesses so we are asking for the public’s views at each stage of the road’s development.
“This latest consultation will allow everyone to see where the road will be and how it connects to local communities, facilities, public transport and the existing road network.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “It is important that community voices are heard in the project planning stages. The East Airdrie Link Road will bridge the gap between residents and their town centre by providing eco-friendly travel links for all, while creating better access to employment and education opportunities. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to have their say.
“The UK Government is supporting the project as part of our £523m Glasgow City Region Deal investment.”
Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “The proposed East Airdrie Link Road will improve connections between residential areas and town centres, making it easier to get to work or education, and develop new walking and cycling routes.
“I would urge the local community to engage in this public consultation as part of the Scottish Government funded Glasgow City Region City Deal.”
Feedback from the consultation will be taken into account as detailed plans for the road are drawn up, and an Outline Business Case presented to Glasgow City Region in the autumn next year to secure funding for the project. Subject to planning permission being granted, construction is expected to start in autumn 2025 with the road opening in late 2027.
