A controversial extension to the M74, designed to reduce congestion on the busiest stretch of the M8 through Glasgow and provide a major economic boost to the west of Scotland, has been given the go-ahead by the Scottish Government.
The tender price bid by the Interlink M74 consortium is a fixed price
of just under £445m plus an allowance for approximately £12m for
possible treatment of mine workings along the route.
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "This Government has always
been committed to the M74 project. Following an internal review of the
procurement processes the Government is confident that the procedures
are robust and we are happy for Glasgow City Council to award the
contract to the Interlink M74 Joint Venture.
"This extension will complete the motorway network and reduce
congestion on the busiest stretch of the M8 through Glasgow. It will
also provide links to regeneration projects in the east end of Glasgow
and will bring much-needed new investment in homes and jobs.
"This project is also a crucial piece of the infrastructure that is
required to provide excellent transport facilities for the visitors and
athletes expected in the city as a result of the 2014 Commonwealth
Games.
"The bid achieves value for money and I am determined to ensure that
there is robust management of this scheme in order to protect the
public purse."
Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
"Glasgow has argued for decades that this development is vital to the
future growth of the city.
"This is tremendous news for jobs, for commuters and for the 2014 Commonwealth Games."
The announcement was also welcomed by the business community. CBI
Scotland director Iain McMillan said: "The completion of the M74 will
ensure that west central Scotland’s connectivity is enhanced whilst
alleviating the pressure on the busiest stretch of the M8 motorway
through Glasgow.
"The Scottish Government deserves warm congratulations for taking this
tough decision so soon after obtaining parliamentary approval of their
budget."
SCDI chief executive Alan Wilson said: "This is great news for the West of Scotland economy, with the completion of the motorway network’s ‘missing link’ promising to open up development in some of the most deprived parts of the country.
"After more than thirty years of stalling, the motorway network round Glasgow will be completed, reducing congestion and easing the movement of goods and services in west central Scotland."
However, environmental campaigners including the Scottish Green Party expressed strong concern at the decision.
The Green Party said that ministers wrote the Green MSPs on Wednesday last week, stating a commitment to review the M74 procurement process, which it says is currently subject to a formal complaint to the European Commission for potential anti-competitive practices and illegal state aid.
Given the announcement that the build is going ahead only a week later, the party expressed serious concerns that the process had not been properly reviewed.
Patrick Harvie MSP said: "Today is a dark day for Glasgow, and a dark day for all those campaigning to tackle climate change. A sham tender process has been concluded with a sham review and an entirely irresponsible decision, given that the European Commission may pull the plug on the process altogether. Whatever the Commission decides, and whether or not the project goes ahead, Ministers have today made an expensive mistake.
"The Greens were the only party to accept the independent report on the M74 which showed this project would be a costly disaster for Glasgow, would fail to tackle congestion, do nothing for employment across the region, and undo attempts by Ministers to tackle climate change. The carbon cost alone of the M74 makes this a decision equivalent to demolishing a substantial windfarm."
"Ministers made a commitment to the Greens, prior to last week's budget vote, that they would conduct a comprehensive review of the M74 process, and that pledge now looks to have been insincere."
Construction of the project is expected to get under way in May and to
complete by the end of 2011. Around £200 million has already been
invested in the project on securing land and advanced works.
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