Ministers urged to improve Raith Interchange

Jul 29 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

Ministers urged to improve Raith Interchange

MINISTERS were this week asked to end speculation concerning vital plans to upgrade the Raith Interchange.

Hamilton South MSP Tom McCabe wants them to confirm that the upgrading of the intersection will be completed by the end of 2013.

Mr McCabe was speaking following reports suggesting that improvements to the A8, between Baillieston and Newhouse, were likely to be delayed.

It is understood that, for reasons of cost, the Scottish Government want to link the A8 work with the project to upgrade the Raith.

The MSP said Ministers received in 2008 a report on a public inquiry into the A8.

In July last year, a separate report was received on plans for the M8, M73 and M74.

Mr McCabe said: “Despite having these reports for a year, and in the case of the public inquiry report, two years, the Scottish Government has not announced a decision on this project.

“Such dithering could spell even further delays for the Raith Interchange as Ministers seem intent on weaving the projects together.”

Mr McCabe said 2013 was the latest completion date for the Raith project suggested by the Scottish Government.

It had been hoped that the two-year project to ease congestion at one of Lanarkshire’s worst bottlenecks would get under way in mid-2009.

Mr McCabe added: “Ministers can be in no doubt of the importance of the project and of the fact that more delays are unacceptable.”

In plans unveiled to the public in March 2007, Transport Scotland proposed a 683-yard underpass linking the East Kilbride Expressway and the A725 Bellshill By-pass.

The A725 would be realigned for just over a mile to accommodate the underpass and there would be improved crossing facilities for walkers and cyclists.

Transport Scotland do not require planning permission from South Lanarkshire Council as they promote their schemes through the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, under which Scottish Ministers are the relevant roads authority.

For the Raith scheme, they say they have successfully undertaken the relevant planning stages under the Act.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said the Scottish Government remain committed to the Raith scheme.

She added: “Subject to approval of the M8 Baillieston to Newhouse scheme, Transport Scotland is considering packaging it with the proposed M74 Junction 5 Raith and a series of network improvements for the M8/M73/M74 to provide best value for the public purse.”

A decision regarding the outcome of the public local inquiry for the M8 Baillieston to Newhouse scheme is to be announced shortly.