Enterprise and communities (EqIA)

What is the policy/strategy/function trying to achieve/do?     

This EqIA assesses the temporary equality and socio‑economic impacts of demolishing the former Registry Office and First Stop Shop on Motherwell Road, Bellshill, to enable future residential redevelopment. The assessment focuses on demolition‑phase impacts such as noise, vibration, dust, temporary footway and carriageway restrictions, diversions, and changes to access affecting residents, businesses, pedestrians (including disabled people and older people), and transport users (including bus and taxi users).

Note: A separate EqIA will cover the residential construction phase (and any associated public realm works).

Note: this activity sits within the ERDP (Economic Regeneration Delivery Plan) which has a high-level overarching EQIA.

If this is a budget saving, how will the saving be achieved?

This project will not provide any budget savings.

If this policy is subject to the FSD what does it suggest about the impact or potential impact on socio-economic disadvantage?

This project is not subject to the FSD.

Give details of the impact it has on groups and individuals 

Age (a particular age or range of ages):

People of various ages will be temporarily affected, particularly if footpaths are due to be closed temporarily and foot traffic is diverted. People of various ages may also be impacted/stressed due to noise and vibrations during demolition works.

Disabled people and people with long term health conditions:

Wheelchair users, people with limited mobility issues and people with visual impairments will be impacted due to footpath closures. Diversions put in place must consider these cohorts. Neurodivergent people may also be impacted if they are sensitive to noise.

Women or men, girls or boys:

Safety and exposure to noise/dust on visits to the Motherwell Road, and potentially on journeys to work/school/leisure activities.

Pregnant women and new mothers (including breastfeeding women):

This cohort may be affected by changes in air quality and dust sensitivity. Closure or narrowing of footpaths will also impact pram users in terms of manoeuvrability.

Children and families:

Safety and exposure to noise/dust on visits to the Motherwell Road, and potentially on journeys to local nurseries/schools/ leisure activities. 

What actions/measures will be put in place or are planned to mitigate any adverse impact or promote equality? 

A range of measures will be put in place to minimise adverse impacts and promote equality during the works. Safe and accessible routes will be maintained by keeping at least one step‑free path open where possible, providing clear high‑contrast signage, avoiding complex diversions, and ensuring good lighting and trip‑free surfaces. Support for disabled people will include maintaining clear widths, temporary ramps, tactile paving, and audible/visual warnings for plant movement. Temporary crossings will be well signed with good sightlines.

Plain‑language notices will be used, with translated versions available on request, and engagement will take place with local faith groups where access may affect worship times. Considerations for families and children include physically segregated work areas, banksmen for vehicle movements, and avoiding high‑impact works at school start and finish times. Measures for pregnant women and new mothers, such as dust suppression and minimising gradients, will be set out in the contractor’s method statement.

To ensure these actions are delivered, the demolition contractor will provide a detailed method statement including Health & Safety, Traffic and Pedestrian Management, Noise and Vibration, and Dust Management Plans. These documents will outline the constraints and assumptions for the demolition works. Standard working hours and quiet hours will be agreed in line with planning conditions and contact details for the contractor and site manager will be displayed on site hoardings. 

Ongoing stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the project, supported by regular updates through corporate communications, the council website, and social media to keep the public informed and help manage any concerns.

What is the result/recommendations of the EqIA 

It is recommended to introduce the policy with the necessary mitigations as described.