Up to £190 million is to be invested in a roads improvement programme across North Lanarkshire.

The Glasgow City Region cabinet has approved the strategic business case for the Pan-Lanarkshire Orbital project, which will boost the regeneration of the former steelworks site at Ravenscraig and create thousands of new jobs.

As the biggest single roads and infrastructure investment in North Lanarkshire's history, features include providing new and upgraded roads from the M74 at Motherwell, through the strategic investment site at Ravenscraig to the M8 at Eurocentral, and onward past Airdrie on a new link road to the A73 south of Cumbernauld.

In addition, an improved public transport hub will be created at Motherwell train station featuring access improvements, park and ride expansion, active travel links and new public realm works.

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The business case projects that the programme will boost the economy by £360m and create 6,700 jobs. Up to ££94m of investment will come from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with the remaining funding to be allocated through council capital funding and developer contributions.

Detailed planning work will now begin and construction is expected to start in 2019.

Council Leader Jim Logue said: "This is a groundbreaking investment which will provide an enormous boost to the North Lanarkshire economy.

"North Lanarkshire is open for business. As part of our strategy, it's essential that we are able to attract significant investment to Ravenscraig, and improve access to jobs for people across the area. Only by providing excellent roads infrastructure can we attract businesses to invest, and this development ensures great access and a link between the M74 in the south and the M80 in the north.

"The strategic case approved by the Glasgow City Region cabinet demonstrates the need for improved connectivity between the population and existing and planned employment. The project breaks down barriers to economic growth and unlocks development opportunities throughout North Lanarkshire."

(LM)