Anger over long delay in decision on A8 upgrade

THE Scottish Government has faced calls to explain the delay in making a decision on a "vital" motorway upgrade.

Former Labour leader Wendy Alexander says ministers have been sitting on the conclusions of two reports on the A8 stretch of the main Glasgow to Edinburgh road which has not been upgraded to motorway status.

A public local inquiry into the proposals was held in 2008 and the Reporter's conclusions were submitted to ministers that October, more than 20 months ago.

A separate report on the improvements was submitted to ministers on 24 July last year.

The government says a decision is expected shortly.

But Ms Alexander said: "The SNP government needs to explain why it is taking so long to make a decision on the upgrade of the A8.

"Ministers have been sitting on more than one inquiry report for the past year and this project is in danger of slipping further and further behind the original timetable.

"Completing the M8 is vital for motorists who commute in and around Glasgow and Lanarkshire and to Edinburgh.

"Why have SNP ministers sat on their hands for 20 months and 12 months following receipt of inquiry reports?"

Under the original plans unveiled in 2003, the project to improve the 10km section of the A8 between the M73 at Baillieston and the A73 at Newhouse - to ensure a complete motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh - should have been completed by the end of 2010. It will not now be completed until 2013-14, according to official estimates - if work gets started this year.