The Preferred Scheme
Completing the Missing Link
Tackling congestion and delivering a transport system that meets the needs of business, transport users and the environment is a high priority for the Scottish Government. Scottish Ministers announced in 2003, as part of their commitment to complete the Central Scotland Motorway network, that the dual carriageway section of the A8 between Baillieston and Newhouse would be upgraded to motorway standard.
Scheme Objectives
The M8 Baillieston to Newhouse improvement is being developed in accordance with the Scottish Government’s key transport objectives of:
- Environment
- Safety
- Economy
- Integration
- Accessibility
The new road will provide substantial benefits:
- Environment The natural and built environment is protected by avoiding sensitive areas wherever practical and incorporating mitigation measures into the design, such as extensive new woodland and hedgerow planting, wetland creation and special measures for protected species
- Safety . The proposals will improve safety for all users within the corridor including where possible separating long distance strategic traffic from short distance local trips. It is predicted that around 100 accidents per year could be saved across the network
- Economy The proposals will provide improved access to support the parallel development in the corridor
- Integration. Allow the implementation of integrated transport policies by providing motorway connection to Eurocentral Rail Freight Terminal
- Accessibility. It will maintain and in places enhance pedestrian and cyclist access to amenity areas and linkages to regional routes and help avoid community severance by improving north-south routes
