Delivery of a vital improvement project on a key South Lanarkshire route has taken another step closer with publication of important statutory orders.

The Draft Road Orders and the Environmental Notice of Determination have been published for the safety upgrade of the A702 Candymill Bend - which links the M74 in South Lanarkshire with Edinburgh.

This marks the start of the formal consultation stage for the scheme which involves realigning almost one mile of road, including new side roads, and improving existing roads to form improved connections with the new trunk road.

The consultation period started on Friday 14 November 2008 and will last for eight weeks.

Stephen Breslin, Transport Scotland's Project Manager said: "This is an important scheme for the surrounding communities and we are pleased that we have now moved to the statutory process giving local people the chance to have their say.

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"We are committed to delivering this £2.8 million boost this important link route as we expect it to bring real safety and economic benefits to the area."

The consultation will close on 9th January 2009. Work is expected to begin on the scheme in the first quarter of financial year 2008/09 with the construction phase lasting approximately 8 months.

Copies of the Orders together with the relevant plans may be inspected, free of charge, during normal business hours, from 14th November 2008 to 9th January 2009 at the offices of: Transport Scotland, Buchanan House, Glasgow, G4 0HF, South Lanarkshire Council, Gillespie Centre, 74 High Street, Biggar, ML12 6BJ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Mon – Fri), Lanark Library, 16 Hope St, Lanark, Lanarkshire ML11 7LZ; 9:15 am – 7:30 pm (Mon), 9:15 am – 8 pm (Tues and Thurs), 9:15 am – 5 pm (Wed and Sat), 9:30 am – 7:30 pm (Fri), Peebles Library, Chambers Institution, High St, Peebles, Peeblesshire EH45 8A between 9:30 am – 5 pm (Mon, Wed and Fri), 9:30 am – 7 pm (Tues and Thurs), 9 am – 12:30 pm (Sat).

BEAR Scotland Ltd., 6a Dryden Road, Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, Loanhead, Midlothian EH20 9TY.

(GK/JM)