11/4/2008Opponents get chance to put forward objections
OPPONENTS of plans to complete the M8 motorway are to be given the chance to air their objections.
A public local inquiry will take place to discuss a multi-million pound project to upgrade the missing stretch between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The plans involve widening an eight mile stretch of trunk road between Baillieston and Newhouse to full motorway standard,
If given the go-ahead, the M8 upgrade is expected to cost between £170million and £210m with completion scheduled for 2012/2013.
Transport Scotland, which is implementing the scheme, insist the upgraded route will ease congestion between Glasgow and Edinburgh and improve safety on one of the country's busiest routes.
The Public Local Inquiry will be held on July 1.
Ministers will then consider the recommendations before taking a final decision on the plans.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "This is the latest milestone in the statutory process and a Public Local Inquiry is not uncommon on projects of this scale.
"We will continue to seek to resolve objections through negotiation until the start of the Inquiry.
"Local communities close to the upgraded section of the M8 will benefit from improved links to Scotland's two biggest cities."
Transport bosses are confident construction will be finished in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The project, alongside schemes to complete the M74 and the section of the M80 between Stepps and Haggs, will complete Central Scotland#s motorway network.
A public local inquiry will take place to discuss a multi-million pound project to upgrade the missing stretch between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The plans involve widening an eight mile stretch of trunk road between Baillieston and Newhouse to full motorway standard,
If given the go-ahead, the M8 upgrade is expected to cost between £170million and £210m with completion scheduled for 2012/2013.
Transport Scotland, which is implementing the scheme, insist the upgraded route will ease congestion between Glasgow and Edinburgh and improve safety on one of the country's busiest routes.
The Public Local Inquiry will be held on July 1.
Ministers will then consider the recommendations before taking a final decision on the plans.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "This is the latest milestone in the statutory process and a Public Local Inquiry is not uncommon on projects of this scale.
"We will continue to seek to resolve objections through negotiation until the start of the Inquiry.
"Local communities close to the upgraded section of the M8 will benefit from improved links to Scotland's two biggest cities."
Transport bosses are confident construction will be finished in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The project, alongside schemes to complete the M74 and the section of the M80 between Stepps and Haggs, will complete Central Scotland#s motorway network.
Who wrote the above? Para two is clearly wrong. A completely new six lane motorway is to be built to the south of the exisitng A8 from Baillieston interchange to Newhouse and not a widening as stated above.