This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Boyack Announces Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies
23/01/2001
Transport Minister Sarah Boyack has announced the appointment of consultants to begin a number of major transport studies in the A8, A80 and M74 Northern Extension corridors.
The team is led by consultants MVA and includes the Babtie Group, Carl Bro Group, Environmental Resources Management, Sinclair Knight Merz, David Simmonds Consultancy and GVA Grimley. The studies will be completed by April 2002.
The Minister said:
"This appointment demonstrates the Scottish Executive's commitment to a long term, integrated approach to improving transport. These studies will identify existing problems along these routes and devise short, medium and long-term solutions that are capable of being put in place.
"Although there is a need to consider improving the trunk road network, it is also important to develop ideas that provide a viable and attractive alternative to the car. We need to improve public transport as well as facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
"For too long we have been constrained by a lack of resources and now we have the opportunity to seek imaginative solutions to difficult problems that affect us all.
"In my statement to Parliament on 28 September, I announced that I would provide the necessary financial resources to implement the decisions arising from these studies, which will help shape the future of transport in west central Scotland for many years to come."
BACKGROUND
1. In November 1999, the Transport Minister announced the outcome of the Strategic Roads Review. It considered the management and maintenance of the trunk road network and the need for major new improvement schemes. It called for further studies of the A8 and A80 corridors and the Scottish Executive carried out a scoping study of the A8 and A80 during April to July 2000.
2. With regard to the M74 Northern Extension, the Scottish Executive announced today that, in partnership with Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire councils, a three lane motorway is to be built by 2008 between Fullarton Road and west of the Kingston Bridge.
News Release: SE0120/2001
23 Jan 2001