The completion of the M74 will bring significant economic and social benefits to businesses, communities and industry in the West of Scotland and the country as a whole, the First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

The First Minister was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Glasgow to mark the start of construction work on the M74 completion project.

The Scottish Government, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire Councils are to spend £445m to complete the M74, due to open in 2011.

The First Minister said: "Completion of the vital missing link in the M74 will reduce congestion and provide strategic transport links for industry in the West of Scotland. Better access for customers and suppliers will benefit thousands of businesses in the surrounding areas.

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"Shorter journey times on local roads will help communities as well as business and will greatly help the preparation and hosting of Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games.

"Regeneration will be a direct result of the completion of the M74, helping to tackle pockets of unemployment through development of prime sites along the Clyde Corridor and areas in Glasgow's east end and south side such as Rutherglen and Cambuslang."

Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The completion of the M74 is a key infrastructure undertaking for Glasgow and the West of Scotland generally.

"Glasgow has argued for decades that this project is crucial to the future growth of the city.

"With construction underway it will not be too long before we see the associated benefits that completing this stretch of motorway and the East End Regeneration route will bring for city, including economic prosperity, regeneration and the opportunity to bring jobs and homes to some of our most deprived communities."

(GK/JM)