Transport Minister Keith Brown has said work on the construction of the central Scotland motorway scheme is to begin.

The £415m scheme will improve the central motorway network.

In a statement, Mr Brown said: "The Central Scotland motorway network is moving closer to completion with Transport Scotland working hard to secure the final details of the contract with the preferred bidder, Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP), with the main works expected to begin in the early weeks of the new year.

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"In recent months, there has been advance work taking place along the Baillieston to Newhouse stretch of the A8 and near the Raith Junction on the M74. This work to stabilise areas of former mine workings adjacent to the A8/A725 at Shawhead was completed on programme in July.

"Utility companies can now be seen undertaking major diversions of gas and water services and, in addition, environmental and ground survey work is being carried out on the project area. Undertaking this work in advance means that the main contractor can progress his works without delay, minimising programme risk to the main construction works and providing value for taxpayers' money."

The ambitious project will complete the motorway network between Glasgow and Edinburgh by providing a new motorway between Baillieston to Newhouse. It also includes work to improve the Raith Interchange, as well as widening key sections of the M8, M73 and M74.

The project has been given a scheduled completion date of spring 2017.

(JP)