(Image: Supplied)
A new road providing access to the future University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie has secured planning approval and Scottish Government funding, with construction expected to begin in 2028.
The 2.3km Towers Road Link will connect Towers Road and Forrest Street and forms the first stage of the wider East Airdrie Link Road scheme.
East Airdrie Link Road and hospital site group. (Image: Supplied)
The project will include a signalised roundabout at Varnsdorf Way, active travel infrastructure, street lighting and landscaping.
The wider scheme will also feature a bridge over the North Calder Water and a roundabout providing a second entrance to the new hospital site at Wester Moffat.
North Lanarkshire Council is leading the project as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The East Airdrie Link Road forms part of the Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor, a strategic route intended to connect the M74 in the south with the M80 in the north.
East Airdrie Link Road and hospital site group. (Image: Supplied)
Construction of the Towers Road Link is scheduled to begin in 2028, with completion expected by 2030.
The funding confirmation comes as the Monklands Replacement Project undergoes a redesign following the start of a reset phase in June. NHS Lanarkshire is working with the council and Scottish Government on refreshed plans for the replacement hospital, which are due to be presented to ministers for a decision in 2027.
Read more
Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "Construction of the East Airdrie Link Road reflects our ambitions for North Lanarkshire, creating opportunities for business and industry, stronger connections between town centres, residential and employment areas, and improving transport links.
"With planning permission in place, we can now move forward with delivery of the Towers Road Link, the first stage in this ambitious project.
"The original plans for the East Airdrie Link Road were amended to facilitate the hospital access, and I welcome the confirmation by the Scottish Government of their share of the funding which I trust demonstrates their commitment to delivering a first-class hospital for the people of North Lanarkshire."
Katharina Kasper, chair of NHS Lanarkshire, said: "I’m very pleased agreement has been reached to construct the Towers Road Link to the new Monklands site.
"This decision underlines the powerful shared commitment between NHS Lanarkshire, the Scottish Government, and North Lanarkshire Council to deliver our state-of-the-art new hospital."
Health Secretary Angela Constance said: "This is an important milestone for both the East Airdrie Link Road and the future University Hospital Monklands.
"Our funding commitment reflects the Scottish Government’s continued support for the infrastructure required to enable delivery of the new hospital at Wester Moffat.
"A comprehensive redesign of the Monklands Replacement Project is well underway, with refreshed plans to be presented to Ministers for decision in 2027, so that construction can begin as soon as possible."