Cumbernauld Citizens Impacted by on Proposed East Airdrie Link Road Plan (Public Events Postponed)

Residents of the greater Cumbernauld area are set to be impacted by and consulted in relation to the construction of a proposed new direct road that aims to improve transport links between Cumbernauld and the M8 motorway.

The East Airdrie Link Road is the name given to a proposed section of the Pan-Lanarkshire orbital transport corridor that will run between Stand and Newhouse. It is planned that this section will link with the Ravenscraig access infrastructure, south of the M8, to provide a north-south route through North Lanarkshire and to the greater Glasgow area.

It is anticipated the project will create a new single carriageway road link with pedestrian and cycle ways from north of the M8 (A723 / Newhouse Interchange) to the A73, north of Stand. The road will have limited connections to the local road network to optimise traffic flow. It will include new road crossings of the Airdrie to Bathgate railway line and the North Calder Water, together with several crossings of local roads and streams.

Three open public events in relation to the project had been planned for March 2020, but have now been postponed due to coronavirus (COVID-19) developments. Information which would have been presented at the public events is available for viewing on North Lanarkshire Council’s website by clicking here.

The proposal will impact commuters in and around the Cumbernauld area, with the A73 currently being the main road which links Cumbernauld with Airdrie, the rest of North Lanarkshire and the M8. The aim of the initiative is to improve journey times and transport reliability, improve connections between residential areas, town centres, business centres, employment and education, and improve air quality by relieving congestion along the existing A73.

The new road link forms a key part of a £190million programme to improving the current road network from the M74 to the M80. It is felt that a new East Airdrie Link Road is vital for this to be a success.  

Organisers have emphasised that this is an early stage of a large project which will take some years to complete. Public consultation is a key part in identifying a preferred route. Once a preferred route is decided, there will be site investigations and a lot of detailed design work. Statutory and funding approvals will also be needed before any construction works would start.

The following provisional timetable has been outlined for project development over the coming months and years:

Spring 2020 – Conclusion of Stage 1: Identifying Short List of Options

Spring 2020 – Stage 1 Public Exhibitions

Autumn-Winter 2020 – Commence Stage 2 Options Development and Appraisal

Winter 2020-21 – Conclude Stage 2 Appraisal Identifying the Preferred Route Option

Winter 2020-21 – Appoint Consultant to Undertake Design Work

Winter 2021-22 – Outline Business Case for City Deal Funding

Spring 2022 – Planning Application.

Project organisers have indicated that further stakeholder and public engagement activity will take place during the options appraisal process.

For further information on the East Airdrie Link Road project and how to have your say, please contact North Lanarkshire City Deal Programme on 01236 632400 or via email at nlccitydeal@northlan.gov.uk.