Green light for City Deal funding which will breathe new life into Bishopbriggs town centre

Artists' impression of the new Civic Space in Bishopbriggs town centre, showing St Matthew's Church and Church Hall to the north, and Morrisons to the south east. The image shows an open pedestrian space with green space and trees, open space for gathering, benches, and high-quality surfaces.

Full Business Cases have been approved for two elements of East Dunbartonshire Council’s £46.77 million Place and Growth Programme, supported by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which will breathe new life into Bishopbriggs town centre and unlock economic opportunities.

The projects were greenlit at the Region’s Chief Executives’ Group (CEG), including:

  • The Westerhill Development Road: 2km of new / upgraded road in Bishopbriggs which aims to unlock key business sites, create jobs, boost transport links and reduce congestion.
  • A new Civic Space in Bishopbriggs town centre: a family-friendly focal point for people of all ages to enjoy a variety of events, socialise and relax, while supporting local trader, services, employment and regeneration.

Preliminary construction works, such as preparing the sites, are expected to begin this month.

The programme is supported by £31.96 million from the UK and Scottish Governments through the City Deal.

Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said:

“I’m very pleased that Full Business Cases for both projects have been given the green light.

“A massive amount of work has taken place to develop these City Deal projects in East Dunbartonshire – securing millions of pounds of external investment for the local economy.

“It has been a challenge to balance complex sites and proposals with long-held aspirations to rejuvenate the town centre, create jobs and investment opportunities, encourage active travel and reduce congestion. Well done to all.“

The Westerhill Development Road (WDR), previously referred to as Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road, is due to be completed by the end of 2027, with the Civic Space expected to open in late 2026 / early 2027.

The WDR includes 2km of new/upgraded road and three new roundabouts, extending the existing Westerhill Road from Lochgrog Roundabout to Crosshill Road, and an upgrade to Torrance Roundabout on the A803 Kirkintilloch Road, including all four approaches.

In addition, an active travel route will be created on the western side of the WDR for walking, wheeling and cycling, with signalised crossings and provision for future bus stops.

Environmental works include wildlife passages and tunnels, planting throughout, an acoustic fence along part of the route, landscaping and Sustainable Drainage Systems to minimise disruption to existing water levels.

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