This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Upgrade of A8000 to go ahead
28/04/2005
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen today pledged to fill
the funding gap for the A8000 upgrade where work is
expected to begin in the next few weeks.
The decision to release funds to help with a local road
recognises the A8000's role in linking the Forth Road
Bridge and the M9 came after a meeting with the Forth
Estuary Transport Authority and Edinburgh Council which has
responsibility for the A8000 as a local road.
The funding offer of a potential £24 million is subject
to FETA, whose board meets tommorow to approve the tender
for the main contract, finalising and implementing an
integrated package of measures to operate the Bridge and
reduce congestion.
Mr Stephen said:
"The A8000 is a vital link to the national transport
network. With connections to both the Forth Road Bridge and
the M9 Spur at Kirkliston, it suffers severe congestion
throughout the day.
"We are backing this upgrade with up to £24 million of
Executive funding in recognition of its strategic
importance. However, I want to see a commitment from both
FETA and Edinburgh Council that this project will now be
delivered as a matter of urgency.
"It is vital to start construction quickly if we are to
remove the current unacceptable delays when travelling to
and from Scotland's capital city. This support will also
allow FETA to move forward with its other important
responsibilities for bridge maintenance and the management
of travel across the Forth."
The A8000 links the southern end of the Forth Road
Bridge, at the Echline junction, to the M9 Spur at
Kirkliston, at the Humbie roundabout. It is a local road
and therefore the responsibility of Edinburgh Council.
The currently proposed scheme aims to construct a new,
off-line dual 2-lane motorway extension of the existing
trunk road M9 Spur, running for around 3km to a new
junction with the A90 near Dalmeny.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen, today met Margaret
Smith MSP and members of FETA and Edinburgh Council to
discuss how to ensure the upgrade of the route could
proceed. The Minister acknowledged that a significant
funding gap has delayed progress.
The Executive's offer to fill that gap could amount to
£24 million over the next two to three years. However, the
exact amount will depend on detailed discussions with the
Authority on funding, timing, and the implementation of
FETA's Local Transport Strategy.