Residents, businesses and groups are being invited to help guide the location of a new route which aims to boost business opportunities and cut congestion in Bishopbriggs town centre.
Consultation is being held on options for the new Westerhill Development Road (previously referred to as Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road).
It's part of the Council's £34.88 million Place and Growth Programme – supported by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
There are five options for a new stretch of road starting just north of the Westerhill railway bridge at Lochgrog Roundabout (Phase 4 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road) and tying in with the A803 Kirkintilloch Road. An upgrade to Torrance Roundabout is also proposed as part of these options.
Find out more and have a say between 29 May and 22 June 2023 – visit the consultation webpage.
A public drop-in event is being held on Monday 19 June, between 5 and 8pm, at Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall, Balmuildy Road G64 3BS. Members of the project team will be there to explain the options and answer any questions.
The delivery of the Westerhill Development Road (WDR) aims to:
- Unlock key strategic sites in the Westerhill regeneration area to ensure there is space for local companies to grow, to attract other high-quality businesses and reduce barriers to jobs locally
- Remove non-essential traffic from travelling through Bishopbriggs town centre
- Alleviate air quality issues on the A803 and enable route corridor improvements
- Support a well-connected workforce within East Dunbartonshire and the wider City Region
- Promote improved road infrastructure, coupled with sustainable travel options in and out of East Dunbartonshire, particularly for commuting journeys.
Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, "We're inviting local residents, landowners, businesses and road users to view and comment on initial route options developed for the WDR.
Whilst consultations have already been held in connection with the wider East Dunbartonshire City Deal Place and Growth Programme, including the Westerhill Masterplan, this will be the first to focus specifically on the WDR. I hope as many people as possible can get involved.
"As well as a new road and the promotion of sustainable travel options, which aim to reduce congestion in Bishopbriggs town centre, the project will also involve investment in an upgraded Torrance Roundabout."
Engagement is underway with stakeholders, including an equalities workshop.
For further information – and to have a say – visit the consultation webpage between 29 May and 22 June 2023 or email Citydeal@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Information and a comment form are available from Bishopbriggs Library/Community Hub.
The City Deal project – in conjunction with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Glasgow City Council – will see an integrated approach to improve infrastructure within East Dunbartonshire and the north of Glasgow, with three main elements:
- Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration
- Delivery of the Westerhill Development Road and a masterplan for Westerhill
- Improvements to the A803 Route Corridor.
Neil Gray, the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, said, "I would encourage people to have their say around the location of a new road to cut congestion and boost businesses in Bishopbriggs.
The Scottish Government is investing £520 million into the Glasgow City Region City Deal to support stronger town centre economies and drive prosperity.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said, "It's important that the community helps to shape this new route and I encourage everyone to participate in this consultation and have their voices included in the decision-making process.
"This will help to ensure the improvements will deliver the maximum benefit to local people and their businesses.
"The UK Government is supporting the Westerhill Development Road as part of our £524 million Glasgow City Region Deal investment."
- The £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal is an agreement between the UK Government, the Scottish Government and eight local authorities across Glasgow and the Clyde Valley.
- The eight local authorities in Glasgow City Region are East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
- For more information on East Dunbartonshire's City Deal Place and Growth Programme, visit the City Deal section of the website.
