North Road, Bellshill to Close for Motorway Upgrade at Shawhead Junction

Motorists and residents of Bellshill are being advised that North Road in Bellshill (B7070) on approach to and from the A725 Shawhead Junction with the A8, will be closed from 22:00 hours Sunday, 24th January 2016, for three weeks as part of the construction of the new Shawhead Junction.

During this initial closure, road users are being advised to follow a signed diversion via A725, Bellziehill roundabout, Gartcosh Walk (A721) and return to North Road. The diversion will operate in both directions.

Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), the contractor responsible for delivering the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project on behalf of Transport Scotland, requires the three week closure to construct a temporary ‘T’ junction, onto the newly constructed A725, to maintain restricted access to and from North Road during the next phase of the works

The new ‘T’ junction will be in place for approximately eight months, with restricted access for HGV’s, and will enable a ‘left in. left out’ manoeuvre only, with a diversion via Bellziehill roundabout for northbound traffic.

This temporary junction is required to allow North Road to remain open during construction of the new North Road Bridge and approach roads to the new Shawhead Junction as part of the £500m M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project.

In addition to creating the temporary ‘T’ junction to maintain access to North Road for the duration of the works, SRP is also providing a free shuttle bus for the convenience of residents living within the vicinity of North Road, Bellshill.

The shuttle bus will provide transportation from the bus stops on North Road previously serviced by First Glasgow’s 201, and link with the 201’s amended route on Gartcosh Walk (A721).

The footpath between North Road in Bellshill and Coatbridge will also require to be closed during the works and the shuttle bus will also provide transportation for pedestrians using this route.

The free shuttle bus service will commence on Monday 25th January 2016, to coincide with the closure of the B7070, and will run in a continuous loop between North Road and a temporary bus stop on approach to the A725 roundabout at Kirkshaws Road.

The bus will run from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, for the nine month duration of the works. This service will be monitored and adjusted by SRP to ensure it meets the requirements of the local community.

Pick-up and drop-off points for the shuttle bus will remain as the existing bus stops on North Road, with the exception of the most northern stops.

Signed diversions will be in place on all approaches to provide road users with alternative routes throughout the works, however, delays are anticipated and motorists are being advised to plan their journey in advance. Signs advising of the change to the bus service will also be deployed.

Graeme Reid, Transport Scotland’s project sponsor for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project, said:

“As a strategic connection on Central Scotland’s motorway network, Shawhead Junction is undergoing a major transformation and one of the biggest challenges we have is to keep the high volume of traffic using this heavily congested junction moving during construction.

“We have been working closely with SRP and consulting with North Lanarkshire Council to minimise the disruption to road users and pedestrians as far as practically possible. We would like to take this opportunity to thank local residents and road users for their patience while these works are underway.”

When complete, the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project will significantly reduce congestion across the central Scotland motorway network, including at Shawhead Junction.

Road users using the new M8 will benefit by shaving approximately 18 minutes off the daily commute from Glasgow to Edinburgh, and 20 minutes off journeys through Shawhead Junction at peak times.

Any queries regarding these forthcoming works should be directed to Scottish Roads Partnership on the free phone number 0800 042 0188 or by email: info@scotroadspartnership.co.uk

For any further information regarding changes to First Glasgow’s bus service, please visit:

www.firstgroup.com/greater-glasgow

Ends


Published 18 Jan 2016 Tags