Road ahead for new route which aims to boost business and cut congestion
Work is continuing to develop plans for a new road which aims to create fresh business opportunities and reduce congestion in Bishopbriggs.
Following a detailed selection process, East Dunbartonshire Council – after consultation with stakeholders and the public – has chosen the preferred route for the new Westerhill Development Road (previously referred to as Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road).
It is part of the Council’s £34.88 million Place and Growth Programme – funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
Public consultation took place last year, with five options for a new stretch of road starting just north of the Westerhill railway bridge at Lochgrog Roundabout (Phase 4 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road) and tying in with the A803 Kirkintilloch Road.
The preferred route – Option A – is the most westerly of the choices, running north from Lochgrog Roundabout, east of HMP Low Moss, and connecting to the existing road network at Crosshill Road. It includes pedestrian and cycling paths, as well as an upgraded Torrance Roundabout.
In comparison to the other potential routes, Option A is considered to perform well overall against the project objectives and minimises environmental impact. More information is available on the Council website – www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/WDR
The delivery of the Westerhill Development Road aims to:
- Unlock key strategic sites in the Westerhill Regeneration Area to ensure there is space for local companies to grow, attract other high-quality businesses and reduce barriers to jobs locally
- Remove non-essential traffic from travelling through Bishopbriggs town centre
- Alleviate air quality issues on the A803 and enable route corridor improvements
- Support a well-connected workforce within East Dunbartonshire and the wider City Region
- Promote improved road infrastructure, coupled with sustainable travel options, particularly for commuting journeys.
Further consultation will take place with landowners and stakeholders in the coming months, and updated information will be shared with the public.
It is envisaged design work will continue into early 2025, after which the project will move into the procurement and delivery phase.
Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, “Consultation took place on route options for the Westerhill Development Road last year. Thanks to everyone who took part – all of your feedback was collated and is helping to inform future work.
“As well as providing the latest information to ensure residents, groups and businesses are kept up to date, we will be working with landowners and stakeholders to develop a detailed design which provides the best balance in terms of benefit, cost and the environment.”
The City Deal project – in conjunction with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Glasgow City Council – is taking an integrated approach to improve infrastructure within East Dunbartonshire and the north of Glasgow, with three main elements:
- Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration
- Delivery of the Westerhill Development Road and a masterplan for Westerhill
- Improvements to the A803 Route Corridor.
The overall completion date is the end of 2026.
The Scottish Government is investing £520 million into the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with the UK Government providing £524 million.
