RAVENSCRAIG is set for major new transport links following the approval of £61.9 million in investment by the Glasgow city region cabinet.
North Lanarkshire Council is matching the funding with £65.3 million over six years to create new and improved transport infrastructure to connect Ravenscraig north to the M8 and south to Motherwell and the M74.
The RIA forms a key part of the local authority’s pan Lanarkshire orbital route which will improve connectivity from Motherwell to Cumbernauld across a range of transport modes and support better movement between surrounding towns and communities.
The work at Ravenscraig includes the completion of the dualling of Airbles Road; the build of a new roundabout with traffic signals at Airbles Road and Windmillhill Street, connecting to the dual carriageway; and the dualling of the A723 from Ravenscraig to the M8.
The RIA is one of a number of infrastructure projects the council is working to deliver in Ravenscraig, including a new seven hectare park which is currently under construction and, working with Sustrans, plans for new cycling and walking links to Craigneuk, Wishaw and New College Lanarkshire Motherwell campus.
The regeneration of the overall Ravenscraig site is a key element of the council’s vision for the area, which will see £3.5 billion invested over the next 10 years – which the council said will create around 12,000 jobs and generating an additional £1 billion for the local economy.
Des Murray, North Lanarkshire Council chief executive, said, “Despite the coronavirus pandemic, we are continuing to invest in the future of North Lanarkshire, with a clear plan for economic growth.
“Ravenscraig is an important part of our long-term plan as it will bring new homes, schools, businesses, jobs and leisure facilities over the next 25 years. To achieve this, we must invest in new roads and active travel improvements, including cycle routes and public transport links – the Ravenscraig Infrastructure Access project will deliver that.
“Overall, the pan Lanarkshire orbital transport corridor will transform the way we use our transport network, encouraging healthy active travel options, creating new opportunities for development and digital infrastructure along the route, and creating potential for low carbon energy networks.”
The local authority said that the next stage in the RIA project will be submission of a planning application for the southern connections to Motherwell and the M74, which will include a public consultation.
It added that the first construction works on site will create the west coast main line crossing, anticipated to take place in 2022, with construction of the new road to Ravenscraig and roundabout starting in 2023. Dualling of the A723 is planned to begin in 2023/24 and the work on Airbles Road in 2024/25.
