Some of the most frequently asked questions associated with the East Airdrie Link Road are covered by the themes below.
As with a project of this scale, in some instances matters can be particular to individual circumstances or isolated to specific locations along the route. The project team will aim to address these where possible through direct engagement or mitigation, as the design process progresses.
Following the feedback during Round 1 of the Pre-Application Consultation, a series of road safety improvement measures were proposed for the following sections of the local road network.
The above road safety improvement measures will be subject to further separate consultation with the local community. Implementing road safety improvement measures on the local road network in these areas would help address concerns which have been raised.
The implementation of the proposed signalised roundabout on Towers Road, will reduce speeds; with the timing and configuration of the signals helping support this. The roundabout will have traffic light signals and will be designed to deliver improved pedestrian crossings, to support active travel and ensure safer connections.
As the proposed Towers Link Road design impacts the existing grass playing field at Caldervale High School, several options are being considered for a replacement facility within the school’s grounds. The unused computer annexe at the rear of the high school contains Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC) and for this reason is set to be demolished, which will allow for additional space within the school grounds to deliver improved replacement sports facilities.
There is an opportunity for the EALR project to deliver enhanced provision through Multi Use Games Areas in the new space to be created from the demolished annexe. Offering greater year-round playing capacity and ability to play a greater range of sports, than the current grass pitch can provide. The options for replacement provision will be developed in accordance with guidance from the relevant statutory body for sport and in consultation with Caldervale High School, to support delivery of the school’s curriculum. We are also looking to try and ensure delivery of replacement provision in advance of any construction works starting on the road infrastructure.
A number of concerns were raised during consultation on potential impacts on the local environment and noise levels. As part of planning and development process, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for the proposed road infrastructure.
The EIA is a structured process that gathers and assesses information to identify the likely significant environmental effects of the project, both positive and negative. Where potential impacts are identified, appropriate mitigation measures are developed. The purpose of the EIA is to support the planning authority in making an informed decision on the planning application.
The findings of the assessment will be presented in an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) which is submitted as part of the planning application.
An EIA Scoping exercise was completed in December 2024. The main purpose of scoping was to agree the topics to be assessed and the level of detail required within the EIA Report for the East Airdrie Link Road.
The EIA Report is being prepared in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and other relevant guidance.
Extensive surveys have already been carried out, including assessments for:
A detailed noise and vibration assessment will be undertaken as part of the EIA. This will identify, in line with relevant guidelines, whether mitigation measures are required for any part of the scheme.
The assessment topics that will be included in the EIA and EIA Reports are:
There is a commitment to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), meaning the development would result in more or better-quality natural habitat than there was before the development of the road. Our design approach is aligning with current national BNG standards and aims to achieve a measurable net gain in biodiversity value, supporting climate resilience and carbon sequestration. The landscape comments provided as part of our consultation activity have been helping inform the landscape design plans, across the extent of the scheme design.
Habitat loss has been avoided and reduced, including a focus on avoiding woodland (ancient woodland and non-ancient woodland) loss, where practicable through a sensitive and considered design approach.
The alignment of EALR through Dunsyston Woods was changed in response to early feedback during Stage 3 design. Additional concerns were raised during Round 1 of the Pre-Application consultation regarding the height of the underpass connecting to Dunsyston Wood for horse riders. In response to this feedback, the level of the road has now been raised to accommodate equestrian access at the proposed active travel underpass, without the need to dismount, with clearance of 3.7m. This will ensure that connectivity for horse riders is maintained between Stepends Road, Roughrigg Road and Dunsyston Woods.
The design of the route has been developed to try and ensure that land severance is minimised, and access is maintained across the extent of the scheme. Due to constraints, such as historic mine workings and road design standards that we are required to meet, not all instances of land severance on a scheme of this scale can necessarily be fully avoided. As we further progress with the project we will continue to engage with landowners on specific land matters and explore accommodation works where possible to mitigate any potential impacts.
As part of the East Airdrie Link Road scheme development, traffic modelling assessment forecasts have been undertaken to confirm that a single carriageway road would have more than sufficient capacity for immediate and future scenarios, even with additional factors of stress applied to the network.
A single carriageway road also reduces the overall environmental impact, land required, cost of construction, and disruption to surrounding communities.
Although the EALR scheme is not located on the trunk road network, NLC undertook the Walking, Cycling, Horse-Riding Assessment and Review (WCHAR) process for the scheme, so the best interests of pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians would be captured in the development of the design.
Through the active travel assessment, it was identified that most trips would be made between the existing population centres of Coatbridge, Airdrie and Plains. Consequently, the scheme design prioritises the provision and enhancement of East–West connectivity to better support active travel users. The assessment also found that, given the distances involved, active travel infrastructure running North–South along the full extent of the scheme would be unlikely to be widely used.
The council and NHS Lanarkshire have submitted a planning application in early 2026 for sections of link road that advance the delivery of the East Airdrie Link Road and give a second access to the new University Hospital Monklands at Wester Moffat, Airdrie.
Details on this can be found in the following news section of the website - Planning applications for East Airdrie Road Link to be submitted
This application covers an important part of the East Airdrie Link Road (EALR), from the hospital to the A89 Forrest Street and includes the new Towers Road link connection.
The link will provide additional direct local traffic and active travel connections to the hospital and local road network. It incorporates a new signalised roundabout at the junction of Towers Road/Varnsdorf Way and bridges over the North Calder Water and the railway.
It will improve the local road network and access to the new hospital as well as strengthen its connection to the surrounding community.
A second planning application will then be submitted in Spring 2026 by the council for the full East Airdrie Link Road, a single-carriageway road, from just north of the M8, at the A73 Newhouse Interchange, to the A73 north of Stand and Riggend.
Submitting the plans for the East Airdrie Link Road in separate applications enables the council and NHS Lanarkshire to progress the road and hospital projects in tandem. If approved, this will allow an earlier delivery of this section of the Link Road.
The two planning applications will mark a key milestone in the delivery of EALR and its support of the Monklands Replacement Project.
The council and NHS Lanarkshire have been working together to maximise the economic benefits of both projects through employment, training and local supply chain opportunities.
Sign up to email alerts for the latest news about this project.
Page last updated:
22 Jun 2026