Concern that Lanarkshire road repairs will lead to huge snarl-ups

Oct 9 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

LANARKSHIRE’S commuters were this week facing a potential roadworks nightmare.

The A723 Motherwell-Hamilton road - used by thousands of commuters and shoppers every day - is to be re-surfaced.

Roads chiefs meet today (Thursday) to decide whether they are able to phase the work to avoid rush-hour snarl-ups.

Many motorists who saw the signs warning that the work was about to start contacted the Advertiser to complain that there would be “absolute chaos” if traffic flow was disrupted during busy times.

The South Lanarkshire Council project began on Monday night and is expected to last three weeks.

The Hamilton-bound carriageway from the council’s boundary at the Clyde bridge to the roundabout at Hamilton is to be upgraded.

The central reservation is also being cleaned.

A spokesman for the council said: “The work that has been carried out between Monday and Thursday (today) has been done overnight to minimise disruption to traffic. It has involved constructing and lengthening the crossovers on the central reservation.

“Phasing of the remainder of the work is presently being looked at in order to minimise disruption to the public.

“A 30mph speed limit will be in place while the improvements are being carried out.

“Because of when the work is likely to be carried out, we are confident any disruption will be kept to a minimum and would like to thank the public in advance for their patience and co-operation.”

A 44-year-old Hamilton man, who commutes to Motherwell every day, said: “I saw the flashing signs warning that roadworks were about to get underway.

“This road is busy and it can take three-quarters-of-an-hour to get to work at the best of times.

“If they impose lane restrictions at rush hour, it will take me longer to get to work and traffic will be tailed back onto the M74, causing problems there.”

Meanwhile, work to upgrade two overbridges on the M73 near Gartcosh begins tomorrow.

The project, designed and managed by Amey, is expected to be completed in early November and includes concrete repair and barrier replacements.

Most of the work will take place during off-peak hours and be programmed in three stages.

With a whopping 36,000-plus vehicles using this route each day, delays are anticipated.

The speed limit will be reduced from 70mph to 40mph throughout the duration of the works.

Transport Scotland are funding the £755,000 project.