When will tenders for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements be invited?
Scottish Ministers have committed to commence procurement of this project by the end of March 2012. Following the commencement of the process, further programme detail will be available.
When will the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements open to traffic?
It is anticipated that construction will commence in late 2013 with completion by 2017.
Will local labour be used during construction of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project?
- While it is illegal under EU Procurement law to specify the nationality of workers, given the scale of the project it is reasonable to expect that local people and local companies will have the opportunity to participate in its construction
- There will be a requirement in the contract for demonstrable community benefit and training opportunities.
Are you investing in public transport in Central Scotland?
The M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements has been developed alongside a package of other complementary improvements in the corridor, the most significant of these being the opening of Airdrie – Bathgate Railway .
Where are the junctions going to be?
- Amendment to existing motorway junctions will be at:
- Baillieston (M73)
- Newhouse (A73)
- Raith (A725)
- New Motorway Junctions will be located at:
- Shawhead (A725)
- Eurocentral
- Chapelhall (B799)
What will be done to reduce disruption to drivers during construction?
- There will be contractual requirements for the successful bidder to minimise disruption to traffic during the project
- Being able to co-ordinate the management of traffic flows across the significant geographic extent of the projectwill help minimise disruption during the construction works
- A large proportion of the M8 Baillieston to Newhouse is being built “off line”, to the south of the existing A8, therefore disruption to traffic from this construction is likely to be minimal
- Where the new works interface with existing roads, at Raith and between Shawhead and Newhouse for example, measures will be put in place to minimise traffic disruption, particularly at peak times.
How have you assessed the impact on the environment and what is being done to minimise any impact on it?
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A Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out and the results published in the Environmental Statements, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999.
- This is one of the largest infrastructure developments proposed in Scotland currently. Some impact on the environment is inevitable, but through the many detailed studies and surveys that have been undertaken we have been able to identify mitigation measures to alleviate the impacts.
- The economic and social benefits of the project are considered to outweigh the dis-benefits for the environment and this is addressed in the Environmental Statements.
What consultation has taken place in relation to the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements?
- Extensive consultations have taken place in relation to the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements project during the development of the various construction elements that form the project which were promoted as separate schemes
- Consultees and the public were provided the opportunity to comment on various issues including environmental impacts
- All affected landowners have been consulted independently of the general consultation process
- Various documents and other relevant information have been published on a dedicated website
- Public exhibitions were held at locations close to and over the extent of the project to coincide with publication of the Draft Orders and Environmental Statements. Staff from Transport Scotland attended these exhibitions to answer questions and concerns from visitors to the exhibitions.
What are the proposed mitigation measures?
A number of mitigation measures are provided as part of the project, including mammal tunnels, fences and bridges to enable species to continue to move within their habitats without the need to interact with traffic, noise attenuation barriers, and sustainable drainage systems.
What measures are being taken to address road traffic noise from the scheme?
- Road traffic noise impacts were studied in detail and the approach to mitigation reported in the Environmental Statements
- The scheme design includes appropriate mitigation where necessary and practicable
- This takes the form of, for example, earth bunds or fencing, in keeping with the local environment and low noise road surfacing.
When will people know if they are entitled to noise insulation and what will be done for those who may be affected by construction noise?
- Properties which may qualify for noise insulation were identified in the Environmental Statements
- Further assessments will be carried out in accordance with the Noise Insulation (Scotland) Regulations 1975. This includes noise surveys pre and post construction and at years 5, 10 and 15 after opening of the road
- Any property which meets the specified criteria will be eligible for noise insulation in accordance with these Regulations.
- The local authority will set acceptable noise criteria for the construction works, will monitor the works where necessary to assess compliance and any concerns in this regard should be raised with them.
- The contractor will provide a contact point, normally a named individual for local communities to raise any concerns.
- Transport Scotland will monitor the contractors management of this process.
