WORK to complete the Denny Eastern Access Road (DEAR) is underway with contractor RJ McLeod setting up on-site ahead of the 12-month project.
Falkirk Council confirmed this main phase of work will cost approximately £7.25 million, with the wider investment for the project being approximately £10.25 million. The funding is being provided from housing development and the local authority’s capital programme.
Once complete, the 1.3km route will join the town’s Nethermains Road, Broad Street and Glasgow Road with the aim of reducing traffic congestion in the town centre as well as improving air quality, road safety and access.
Councillor Paul Garner, depute leader of Falkirk Council, said, “The construction of the DEAR will create a smoother traffic flow and offer more sustainable transportation options, including enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. It will also ease congestion as well as providing safer travel to Denny High School and better access to our existing path network. We know this has been a long-term desire of the local community and I’m absolutely delighted to finally see this work starting for visitors and residents alike.”
Jamie Corser, business development manager for RJ McLeod, added, “We have delivered projects for Falkirk Council for over 20 years, including the Helix public realm and slip roads on the M876, and are really pleased to be part of their team once again. We’re looking forward to working with the Council, and the local community, to successfully construct this important infrastructure project.”
Some public footpaths will be temporarily diverted at certain stages during construction for public safety. However, the contractor will implement signed diversion routes and update path diversion information on a regular basis.
Originally, a relief road for Denny had been discussed since the 1970s and a plan for the route was agreed upon in the mid-1990s.
