Work has started to create a new junction providing direct access to the M9 for communities in West Lothian as part of a £40m package of works fully funded by a developer.
The new junction will unlock the final delivery of the masterplan for a £1bn development encircling the historic village of Winchburgh in West Lothian, seven miles from Edinburgh Airport. When complete, the development will see at least 3,800 new homes, improved transport links, and a minimum of 40-acres of employment land created.
As part of the planning conditions, no more than 1,000 residential units can be occupied until the new motorway junction was complete.
Scottish firm RJ McLeod has been appointed to carry out the motorway junction contract, which is part of a £40m programme of infrastructure and landscaping works by Winchburgh Developments Ltd.
Winchburgh Developments chief executive John Hamilton said: ‘The new junction has been a core element of the Winchburgh masterplan since its inception and it is great to see that work has now started.
‘Historically, transport connectivity has been heavily constrained by a motorway network that completely bypassed the village.
‘The £40m we’re investing on the new motorway junction and other roads infrastructure is a crucial element of the integrated transport strategy for completing the masterplan. We also remain focussed on delivering a new railway station for the growing community of Winchburgh and the surrounding area.’
RJ McLeod business development manager Jamie Corser said: ‘We are experienced at Scottish trunk road construction and will continue to update the Winchburgh community on the progress of work and thank them for their patience with any short-term disruption this may cause.’
The M9 junction will be formed by constructing four new slip roads centred on the existing underpass below the motorway. Served by a fully upgraded core road, it will connect Winchburgh’s town centre with the southern roundabout at the junction.
Over the next 12 months, work will include completion of the main distributor road from the new school campus at Glendevon, a three-kilometre route to the new M9 junction at Duntarvie Castle, and a further junction upgrade on Kirkliston Road.
Other elements of the distributor road include new bridges spanning the Union Canal at the new town centre and the main Edinburgh/Glasgow Rail Line.
The target date for the combined motorway junction and distributor road works is Spring 2023.
