Schools programme forges ahead

Feb 21 2008

SOUTH Lanarkshire’s £800m primary schools improvement programme will continue as planned next financial year.

Over the next two years, seven new schools will open and construction will start on a further 14.

Among new primary schools scheduled to open this year are: Blacklaw, Kirkmuirhill, May; Craigbank, Larkhall, June, and St Blane’s, Blantyre, August.

St. Anne’s, Hamilton, is due to open in August, 2009, and the opening of the new St Athanasius’ Primary, Carluke, is expected in May, 2009.

Work is set to start on the following dates at: St John the Baptist, February; Chapelton, May; Braehead, Forth, July; Rigside Primary, July; Wiston Primary, July; Douglas Primary, July; St Joseph’s Primary, Blantyre, July; Robert Smillie Primary, Larkhall, July, and St Paul’s Primary, Hamilton, July.

Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Eddie McAvoy said the latest work would cost more than £68m.

South Lanarkshire’s £319m secondary schools modernisation programme is also to continue.

Seventeen new schools are planned and two secondaries are being refurbished.

Construction is underway at John Ogilvie High, Hamilton, and Uddingston Grammar, and both are on schedule to be completed by August, 2008.

Building work is also progressing at Biggar High, Lanark Grammar, Larkhall Academy, and Strathaven Academy. All are due for completion in 2009.

Work on the refurbishment of Hamilton Grammar is due to begin shortly.

The site compound is being erected and final phasing discussions are taking place with the head teacher to allow the work to progress.