A vital £3.5m upgrade to a key South Lanarkshire route has taken an important step forward with publication of important statutory orders next week.

The Made Stage Road Orders and Compulsory Purchase Order will be published for the safety upgrade of the A702 at Candymill, which links the M74 in South Lanarkshire with Edinburgh, on 29 June.

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The scheme will involve realigning almost one mile of road, installing new side roads and improving existing routes to enhance connections with the new trunk road.

Transport Scotland Project Manager Stephen Breslin said: "This is a key route for commuters to and from Edinburgh and we are pleased progress is being made.

"This scheme represents a significant investment and we are confident people using the route will benefit from safer journeys and improved journey times when it is complete.

"Local communities will also be boosted economically from these improvements."

Interested parties will be given the opportunity to have their say on the scheme.

(GK/JM)