Assessing Options: Stage 2

You said – We did  

We listened to what you had to say at Stage 2 (Phase 1).  

During the Phase 2 stage 1 consultation carried out in 2021 on the emerging preferred route of the East Airdrie Link Road, you gave us valuable feedback.  

We considered all the responses and reviewed the emerging preferred option.  We also examined further options at the north section of the proposed route at Riggend.  

Your feedback from Stage 2 (Phase 1) will help to inform the next stage of the project. During this stage, the route alignment will be finalised. Detailed designs will be prepared for the new road and mitigation measures.   

You can also give us your feedback on the preferred route as part of this engagement.  

The following provides a response to the Stage 2 (phase 1) consultation.

Environment and Public Access

Environment

You said  

The possible impact on the environment is important.

Key concerns indicated in responses were:

• biodiversity
• pollution
• loss of ancient trees and general woodland, (including Dunsyston Wood)

Our response 

The impact on the environmental the project might have, was a key consideration in comparing the options.

The design process we have gone through has considered these as part of the route assessments

Where possible, route options were changed to reduce impact on the environment.

Further work / next stage 

At the next stage, we will be undertaking further environmental assessments.

These will identify any effects at the earliest possible stage with the aim to avoid or reduce any effects.  This will be done through the design process.

The assessments will cover a wide range of topics including:

• biodiversity
• landscape
• air quality
• noise
• heritage
• water quality
• flooding
• impacts on local communities

We will seek to reduce impacts as much as possible. Where these are unavoidable, such as the loss of woodland we will provide replacement planting and paths for local access. We will also continue to consider realigning parts of the route where possible to reduce impact on woodland.

When we submit the required planning application in the future, these environmental assessments will be important supporting information and used by the Planning Service to assess the project.

Public Health and Wellbeing

You said  

You raised concerns around the issue of public health and well-being, particularly mentioning:

• air quality
• noise pollution
• separation of land
• exercise and recreation

Our response 

Air quality and noise impacts are considered as part of the environmental assessment. We considered air quality and noise impact in comparing the options.

We also considered potential issues around separating current parcels of land and potential loss of recreation space for all the proposals.

Further work / next stage 

At Stage 3 we further develop our proposal. This will involve us undertaking further surveys and collecting more information to reduce any impacts and devise solutions to minimise these.

If we are not able to avoid losing land that is highly valued by the local community, we will seek to replace it elsewhere in the local area.

Active Travel and Horse riding

You said  

You said we needed to consider active travel and horse riding in the area. 

Our response 

As part of the project we are developing active travel schemes in the area to make the most of additional road space freed up in Airdrie by opening of the new Road.  Walking and cycling routes will be provided to link communities from:

• Calderbank and Chapelhall to Stand
• Riggend through Airdrie

Further work / next stage 

At the next stage, we will develop detailed plans for the walking and cycling routes.

We will also look to identify ways to maintain or improve countryside access for walking, cycling and horse riding.

Roads issues

Road Safety

You said  

Road safety must be considered including potential speeding and possible need for traffic calming. 

Our response 

Road safety considerations are important to this project being a success and all options were developed in accordance with national design guidance and standards.

Further work / next stage

The safety of the road will be assessed through a formal Road safety audit process.

Lancaster Avenue safety specific

You said  

You raised concerns about what impact the new road would have on the operation and safety of Lancaster Avenue. 

Our response 

We are constantly reviewing the operation and safety of Lancaster Avenue and will continue to do so.

Further work / next stage 

At the next stage, we will design how the new road will connect to the A73 at Chapelhall.  

When the road opens, we will assess any changes to the operation and safety of Lancaster Avenue and will introduce new road safely measures if they are needed.

Road Congestion

You said  

There are congestion issues in the area.

Our response 

Building the new road will reduce congestion. It will provide an alternative route for through traffic and free up space on the A73 through Chapelhall and Airdrie for local traffic.

Further work / next stage 

At Stage 3 we will assess in more detail the capacity of the new road and its impact on the current local roads.

Public transport

You said  

There was a need for improvements to public transport and more choices to be provided.

Our response 

The new road will reduce the amount of traffic on the A73 through Chapelhall and Airdrie, this means:

bus services will be helped to be quicker and more reliable

new bus services may also use the new road

Further work / next stage

We will work with bus operators to take advantage of opportunities resulting from the reduction of traffic on the existing roads by the opening of the Link Road.

Why is not a dual carriageway?

You said  

Why is the new road not to be a dual carriageway? 

Our response 

Assessments have shown that a single carriageway will have adequate capacity for the future amount of traffic we are expecting to use it.

Further work / next stage 

We will continue to assess that a single carriageway is what is required and any additional effect of the new hospital.

Accessing private land

Access to land

You said  

The project could impact on individuals accessing private land. 

Our response 

During the Stage 2 process we looked at access arrangements to the main public roads. 

Further work / next stage 

During Stage 3 we will develop the project and as part of this we will consult with affected landowners on detailed access arrangements to ensure these are retained.

Impact on use of land

You said  

The construction of the road could impact on individuals using their land.

Our response 

We have tried to minimise the likely impact on adjacent land with the routes of all the options we have assessed.

Further work / next stage 

We will meet with any landowner who is affected by the proposal so we can understand the impacts it has on them and their land and will work with them to find a solution.

Compensation will be available where a design solution is not possible and loss can be shown by the landowner.

Other issues

Development land

You said  

The proposal needs to support development site proposals that are close to it.

Our response 

We have already made changes to our proposed routes due to feedback we have already had. This will be part of the ongoing development of the project.

Further work / next stage 

At Stage 3 we will consult with people who have an interest in developing land in the area. This will ensure that the detailed proposals coordinate with other neighbouring developments. 

Impact on Riggend residents

You said  

Riggend residents expressed concerns over impacts to their community and queried why the road could not pass to the west of Riggend or connect to the A73 further south. 

Our response 

Further options that pass to the west of Riggend have been developed and assessed.

This confirmed that going to the west of Riggend had much higher construction costs and was unaffordable. Options which did not bridge over the A73 had impact on local access in the Riggend area.

Our assessment also confirmed that the project objectives were best met by connecting directly onto the dual carriageway section of the A73 north of Riggend instead of connecting to the A73 to the south of Riggend or Stand.

Further work / next stage 

At Stage 3, we will review the Stage 2 route, including lowering the level of the road to minimise the noise and visual impact at Riggend. We will discuss and develop project-specific design solutions to address resident’s concerns.

New Monklands Hospital

You said  

What are the implications of the proposals for a new Monklands Hospital adjacent to the project?

Our response 

We have and will continue to work together with the NHS to ensure the hospital proposals integrate with the proposal for the Link Road, including any likely traffic implications.

Further work / next stage 

We will continue to have detailed discussions and work with the NHS about our proposals and theirs, to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes for the local community.