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| Work starts on A80 missing link | Work starts on A80 missing link |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Construction work to upgrade an 11 mile stretch of the A80 between Glasgow and Stirling is due to get under way. | Construction work to upgrade an 11 mile stretch of the A80 between Glasgow and Stirling is due to get under way. |
| Transport Scotland has signed a contract with Highway Management (Scotland) Ltd for the £320m M80 Stepps to Haggs project. | Transport Scotland has signed a contract with Highway Management (Scotland) Ltd for the £320m M80 Stepps to Haggs project. |
| Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said preparatory work had already begun and the scheme would help complete a "gap" in the roads network. | Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said preparatory work had already begun and the scheme would help complete a "gap" in the roads network. |
| It could also create more than 500 construction jobs over two years. | It could also create more than 500 construction jobs over two years. |
| Work was due to begin immediately and the motorway upgrade was expected to be completed by 2011. | Work was due to begin immediately and the motorway upgrade was expected to be completed by 2011. |
| Mr Stevenson said: "The Scottish Government is absolutely clear that an efficient transport system is essential for enhancing productivity and delivering faster, more sustainable growth. | Mr Stevenson said: "The Scottish Government is absolutely clear that an efficient transport system is essential for enhancing productivity and delivering faster, more sustainable growth. |
| "This project is another example of how our continuing investment is helping the hard-pressed construction sector now, creating hundreds of construction jobs." | "This project is another example of how our continuing investment is helping the hard-pressed construction sector now, creating hundreds of construction jobs." |
| This project will complete the missing gap between Stirling and Glasgow bringing real benefits to the surrounding communities and across the central belt as a whole Stewart Stevenson MSP Transport Minster He added: "The A80 is an essential part of the trunk road network in central Scotland and one of the most heavily used. | This project will complete the missing gap between Stirling and Glasgow bringing real benefits to the surrounding communities and across the central belt as a whole Stewart Stevenson MSP Transport Minster He added: "The A80 is an essential part of the trunk road network in central Scotland and one of the most heavily used. |
| "This project will complete the missing gap between Stirling and Glasgow bringing real benefits to the surrounding communities and across the central belt as a whole." | "This project will complete the missing gap between Stirling and Glasgow bringing real benefits to the surrounding communities and across the central belt as a whole." |
| The £320m contract includes the cost of maintaining the road for 30 years. | The £320m contract includes the cost of maintaining the road for 30 years. |
| The upgrade work includes almost five miles of new two-lane motorway and hard shoulders between Stepps and Mollinsburn, 1.6 miles of three-lane motorway between Mollinsburn and Auchenkilns, and almost 4.5 miles of two-lane motorway between Auchenkilns and Haggs. | The upgrade work includes almost five miles of new two-lane motorway and hard shoulders between Stepps and Mollinsburn, 1.6 miles of three-lane motorway between Mollinsburn and Auchenkilns, and almost 4.5 miles of two-lane motorway between Auchenkilns and Haggs. |
| There was considerable local objection to the 11-mile plan. | There was considerable local objection to the 11-mile plan. |
| However, a public local inquiry in October 2005 ruled that it should go ahead as there would be significant benefits in terms of reducing traffic congestion. | However, a public local inquiry in October 2005 ruled that it should go ahead as there would be significant benefits in terms of reducing traffic congestion. |
| Business leaders have welcomed the "much needed" motorway upgrade. | Business leaders have welcomed the "much needed" motorway upgrade. |
| Rail upgrade | Rail upgrade |
| CBI Scotland's director Iain McMillan said: "We have long campaigned for this crucial infrastructure upgrade and this is a very welcome milestone on the road to delivering it. | CBI Scotland's director Iain McMillan said: "We have long campaigned for this crucial infrastructure upgrade and this is a very welcome milestone on the road to delivering it. |
| "Along with the M74, the M80 upgrade will see the Scottish Government complete the central Scotland motorway network. Scottish ministers are to be commended for progressing this much-needed transport infrastructure." | |
| The announcement of the multi-million pound A80 upgrade contract came on the same day Network Rail began a £1.5m project to restore two railway bridges in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire. | The announcement of the multi-million pound A80 upgrade contract came on the same day Network Rail began a £1.5m project to restore two railway bridges in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire. |
| The iconic bridges were built in 1898 by the Caledonian Railway Company and Brandon Bridge Company. | The iconic bridges were built in 1898 by the Caledonian Railway Company and Brandon Bridge Company. |
| One carries the main Scottish central line from Motherwell to Falkirk and Stirling. The other carries the freight-only link line from Whifflet to Coatbridge Sunnyside. | One carries the main Scottish central line from Motherwell to Falkirk and Stirling. The other carries the freight-only link line from Whifflet to Coatbridge Sunnyside. |
| Local politicians had been campaigning for improvement work for a number of years. | Local politicians had been campaigning for improvement work for a number of years. |
| Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, said: "I accept that the bridges are structurally sound however their dilapidated state detracts from the many town centre improvements carried out in Coatbridge. | Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, said: "I accept that the bridges are structurally sound however their dilapidated state detracts from the many town centre improvements carried out in Coatbridge. |
| "I am therefore pleased that Network Rail has now committed to restoring the bridges which will enhance the town centre and the impression of the town for residents, visitors and businesses." | "I am therefore pleased that Network Rail has now committed to restoring the bridges which will enhance the town centre and the impression of the town for residents, visitors and businesses." |