The updated plans, approved by the executive yesterday, include dedicated cycle/pedestrian routes set back from road traffic and new pedestrian crossings that will benefit users of the Helix Park, Falkirk Stadium, Forth Valley College, and other future developments.

The project features road and junction improvements between M9 Earlsgate junction and Forth Valley College campus to improve the movement of traffic. It also includes a comprehensive landscape and planting plan that will introduce replacement trees and woodland areas which will have a positive effect on biodiversity along the corridor.

Council officers recommended the removal of the previously agreed pedestrian bridge from the project after construction costs significantly increased to unaffordable levels. The revised scheme delivers the same economic and active travel benefits as the original proposal and reduces the carbon footprint of the overall project.

Approval of the scheme also unlocks the Falkirk Gateway development site beside the Forth Valley College campus to deliver a host of new retail, office, and leisure opportunities for the local area.

The combination of the Westfield and Gateway projects are expected to create an additional 4,000 jobs and 276,000 square metres of extra commercial floorspace over the next 15 years. There will also be affordable and open market housing brought to the area.

Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said: “Today’s agreement ensures essential strategic transport improvements will go ahead and at a much lower cost, which fits better with the challenging financial position of the council. This is a major milestone and will provide businesses with increased confidence that Falkirk and Grangemouth are great places to be located and operate from. It will also pave the way for the development of the Falkirk Gateway site that will bring new retail, office, and leisure opportunities to the area as well as jobs.”

The council will retain £14 million of UK Government funding for the updated scheme through the Levelling Up Fund, with the remaining investment coming via its innovative Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) programme - which means business rates fund the costs rather than local people.

Work to deliver the new design will be phased over two years and follows the recent completion of the M9 Junction 5 Cadgers Brae improvements and previous work to M9 Junction 6, both delivered as part of the council’s TIF programme.

Paul Garner, portfolio holder for economic development, said: “The work to improve our infrastructure will alleviate traffic pressure, improve traffic flow, and help make the area an even more attractive place to invest and do business. It will also make active travel easier and safer for all. The executive determined that the plans represent the most suitable course of action as they help lay the foundations to build an even brighter future for the area.”