Background

The Project is based on a 33-year PPP contract with Scottish Ministers for the construction, operation and maintenance of part of the motorway network between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The works comprise building a new section of the M8 motorway and upgrading sections of the M73 and M74 motorways. The contract is the first transport project done under the Non-Profit Distributing (“NPD”) model as used in Scotland.

A total of 29km of road has been upgraded, including the conversion of the A8 trunk road between Baillieston and Newhouse near Glasgow to motorway standard, so completing the M8 motorway from Edinburgh to Glasgow. A new dedicated M8/A8 lanes has also been builtconnecting the Eurocentral business and industrial centre to the motorway network near Glasgow.

Journey time savings are substantial for such a critical part of Scotland’s road network which was previously experiencing extreme congestion at peak times, particularly at the nodal junctions in the network. Journey time savings of 20 minutes have been recorded on the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow and 15 minutes just at the critical Raith Interchange on the M74.

Stage:

In Operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

The Good Neighbour Fund was set up during the construction phase with an initial funding of £15,000, aimed at supporting charities and local community groups. To date, more than 22 separate groups have benefitted from the Fund’s support. The Project has continued this initiative into operations phase with annual funds being approved to allow further initiatives to be supported in the local community.

Over 1,000 trees were planted in Q1 2024 as well as upgrading a wetlands section and planting various wildflowers across appropriate parts of the network. Approval has been granted to plant a further 1,000 trees in Q1 2025, building towards the goal of 5,000 trees in 5 years.

The Project is tackling emissions from congestion by reducing journey times across the central network by up to 20 minutes. This time reduction is due to the upgrade of a total of 29 km of road, including the conversion of the A8 trunk road between Baillieston and Newhouse near Glasgow.