Over 2.1 million tonnes of recycled material has been used in the construction of the M74 completion – making it one of Scotland’s biggest ever use of recycled materials in a modern day transport project.

Three quarters of the 2.5 million tonnes of material required for construction was sourced from within 15 miles of the project, and also included thousands of tonnes of earth given a clean bill of health from a 'soil hospital'.

In addition green fingered aspects were employed with a variety of environmentally focused design and construction methods, including the planting of over 80,000 trees and 200,000 plants to create diverse wildlife habitats and construction of seven ponds that will filter and clean water as it drains from the motorway.

Keith Brown, Transport Minister said: "The Scottish Government is committed to a Greener Scotland – from more sustainable projects through to improving our natural and built environment.

"I am delighted with the considerable efforts made by the M74 Completion team to deliver this project in an as environmentally-friendly way as possible, from recycling materials to the creation of wildlife habitats.

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"We are committed to sustainable economic growth in Scotland and the M74 Completion scheme couldn’t be a better example. The economic and urban regeneration benefits are clear but it was also important that this key infrastructure project was delivered sustainably.

"Despite complex challenges related to contaminated land along the majority of the route, the scheme has been delivered ahead of schedule and under budget - whilst engineering sustainable solutions within the road corridor, creating more wildlife habitats and putting in place a wide variety of mitigation measures."

David Welsh, Project Director for Interlink M74 JV said: "Interlink is very aware of its environmental responsibilities and has created a business improvement model on site which has driven the vision of best practice in all aspects. Undoubtedly, the mix and teamwork of the four major contractors in a Joint Venture has been very advantageous and the resultant solutions have delivered significant environmental and commercial benefits for our client."

The scheme reused 1.6 million tonnes of recycled waste from local schemes such as demolition material from housing at Dalmarnock, the high flats at Gorbals, Royston and Sighthill and the former Hoover Factory in Cambuslang, helping to curb emissions from on and off site transportation.

A 'soil hospital' was also used to clean and treat 86,000 tonnes of contaminated earth from the former Rutherglen chemical works site, and of the 168,000 tonnes of material generated from the works, 99.4% was reused onsite.

Mitigation measures put in place include installation of 5,500 metres of aluminium, transparent and timber noise barriers along the route, low noise road surfacing and use of sympathetic cladding for bridges where required. In addition extensive air, noise and water drainage assessments were undertaken to allow for ongoing monitoring.

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) have also been located along the route to filter and clean drainage water prior to it entering natural water courses, reducing pollutants and providing additional wildlife habitats. In addition to the ponds and tree lined landscaping, there are also six ornamental planting sites providing colourful and striking gateways to the M74.

(GK)