Plans to upgrade the A801 River Avon Gorge crossing have taken a step forward as MSPs confirmed support for the ambitious transport scheme on 12 July 2008.
A delegation from both Falkirk and West Lothian Councils visited the Scottish Parliament to make their case for vital funding required to improve this 'nationally significant' stretch of road which links both council areas.
Officials were 'heartened' by MSPs comments, which supported the importance of this link.
The £18m project is seen as a strategic transport link at a regional and national level and would link Grangemouth with the M8 and M9 corridors. The Grangemouth Freight hub is identified in the national planning framework as a national priority.
The A801 forms a key strategic link between the M8 and the M9 corridors and provides a strategic freight route between Grangemouth docks and various distribution centres in West Lothian. The port of Grangemouth handles an estimated 10% of Scotland's GDP - £8.2 billion (2007) - and a connection to major industrial and distributor locations is vital for the port.
The Scottish Government has recognised the national importance of access to Grangemouth and has included the Grangemouth Freight Hub (which includes the A801) as one of nine national developments included in the National Planning Framework.
An improved route would lead to a reduction in fuel costs (£1.9m per annum) and:
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reduce journey times saving £24.1m per annum
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reduce accidents between Bowhouse and Wallhousemuir roundabouts
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increase the reliability of journey times for all vehicles
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provide a vital strategic diversionary route between the M8 and M9 corridor
The project has planning permission from both Falkirk and West Lothian Councils.
Animations
These computer-generated moving images show you the proposed new crossing over the River Avon gorge.
This slideshow of images shows how the area looks now, and how it could look if the gorge crossing is contructed:
This fly-over animation follows a car on its journey on the new A801 over the gorge: