North Lanarkshire Council’s enterprise and growth committee will hear an update on the design and construction of the £127.2 million Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project.

The project provides new and improved transport infrastructure to connect Ravenscraig north to the M8 and south to Motherwell and the M74.

The four elements of the project are:

• a new dual carriageway from the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility to Motherwell, crossing the west coast main line railway;
• a new roundabout with traffic signals at Airbles Road and Windmillhill Street, connecting to the dual carriageway;
• completion of the dualling of Airbles Road; and
• the dualling of the A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8.

The project forms part of a Glasgow City Region City Deal programme to connect the main motorway networks.

“This project is a critical element of our ambitious Pan Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor programme, which sees major investment in strategic transport infrastructure to create new routes from Cumbernauld to Motherwell and linking the M8 to the M74,” said Councillor Paul Kelly, council depute leader.

“The new roads and improvements, including cycle routes and public transport links, within this project are the first step to unlocking the future potential of the Ravenscraig site, improving access for new housing, businesses, schools, retail and leisure facilities.

“Ravenscraig has huge potential and economic benefits for local residents, business, industry and visitors over the next 25 years; this new infrastructure will allow our vision for the site to become reality and support our plan for North Lanarkshire to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.”

If agreed by committee, the Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure plans will be presented to the Glasgow City Region City Deal Cabinet in October for approval. The next stage would be submission of a planning application for the southern connections to Motherwell and the M8, which will include a public consultation.

The cost of the council’s Ravenscraig Access Infrastructure project is £127.2m, including £71.2m for the connection to Motherwell and the M74 and £56m for dualling the existing A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8 at Newhouse.”

The costs of the project are supported by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, providing £61.9m, with £65.3m being provided from the council over six years, from 2020 to 2026.