A multi-million pound plan which will see Kier Scotland modernising three primary schools in South Lanarkshire has been given final approval, with work to begin on the first two schools in the next few weeks.

The £25m programme will see the replacement of Hunter Primary in East Kilbride, Cairns Primary in Cambuslang and Woodhead Primary in Hamilton. As South Lanarkshire Council’s construction partner on the South Lanarkshire School’s Framework, Kier Scotland will carry out the construction work for the projects.

Each campus will house new classrooms, nursery, and a multi-use sports pitch, as well as improved pedestrian and vehicle access, and car parking. The primary schools will be constructed without affecting the existing building and pupils will be able to stay in their normal classes as work takes place.


Kier Scotland will begin work at the £8.8m Woodhead Primary and the £7.1m Cairns Primary in the coming weeks and it is expected that both schools will be completed in a year. Work on the £9.2m replacement for Hunter Primary is expected to start in the spring and will last up to 15 months.

The plans for Woodhead Primary in Hamilton also allow for a future extension to be built. This will enable the school to take on a number of children from up to 2,000 planned new homes in the town. The planning consent allows Kier Scotland to go ahead with the initial 14-classroom, three-storey school next year, with a provision for a second phase two-storey extension if required.

South Lanarkshire Council chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Graham Scott, said: “In spite of all of the financial pressures the council has faced, and still faces, we have fought hard to keep the new schools programme on track. What better start could we have to the New Year than the prospect of hundreds more children learning and playing in schools that are modern and vibrant?”

Kier Scotland has already played a huge role in South Lanarkshire Council’s school modernisation programme having rebuilt a number of primary schools in the area, including Townhill and St Paul’s Primary Schools in Hamilton, and St Anthony’s and Loch Primary Schools in Rutherglen. It’s most recent project, the £7.1m Auchinraith Primary School in Blantyre, was handed over this week (12 January), two weeks ahead of schedule.

(GK)