The Glasgow City Region Cabinet has approved East Dunbartonshire Council's Strategic Business Case for the £34.88 million Bishopbriggs Place and Growth Programme.

The City Deal project, in partnership with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Glasgow City Council, will look to boost the East Dunbartonshire economy and sees an integrated approach to improve traffic and transport infrastructure within Bishopbriggs and connections to the north of Glasgow, with the following key elements, all intended to support local economy and links to the wider city region:

• Delivery of Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road

• Investment in public and sustainable transport on the A803 Route Corridor

• Bishopbriggs Town Centre Regeneration

The project is jointly supported by the UK and Scottish Government's as part of the Glasgow City Region Deal.

Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody said: "This is excellent news for the East Dunbartonshire economy and builds on the improvements we've already delivered in this area through the Bishopbriggs Relief Road. The Place and Growth Programme will bring significant benefits to the region, through improved sustainable connectivity and the associated economic and employment benefits that come with that."


Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson added: "Our ambitious Place and Growth Programme will be funded from our previously agreed Council contribution of £4.88 million and a City Deal Grant of £30 million. The next stage for this focused investment in improved transport and connectivity with north Glasgow and the City Centre will see the Outline Business Case develop the detail of the key elements and quantify the benefits to the region, with the construction phase to follow that."

SPT Vice chair Alan Moir said: "I am proud that SPT is working in partnership with East Dunbartonshire and Glasgow City Councils to improve transport infrastructure for commuters and all other road users across Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire and the wider transport network. Having good sustainable transport in place is essential for a successful region. Working together to improve connectivity and ensuring good public transport links are vital for economic growth and future employment opportunities in the area."

The Strategic Business Case highlighted a package of transport infrastructure and site enabling activities, including better connectivity and accessibility to jobs between East Dunbartonshire and the adjacent City Region areas.

The £0.7 million development costs for the Outline Business Case stage have been approved and work will now continue with programme partners SPT and Glasgow City Council to quantify the transport, employment and land use benefits that will be realised through the programme. The Outline Business Case will also consider transport models and the impacts that the programme will have.

(MH/JG)