A801 River Avon gorge crossing Plans to upgrade the A801
A delegation from both Falkirk and West Lothian Councils visited
the Scottish Parliament to make their case for vital funding
required to improve this 'nationally significant' stretch of road
which links both council areas.
Officials were 'heartened' by MSPs comments, which supported the
importance of this link.
The £18m project is seen as a strategic transport link at a
regional and national level and would link Grangemouth with the M8
and M9 corridors. The Grangemouth Freight hub is identified in the
national planning framework as a national priority.
The A801 forms a key strategic link between the M8 and the M9
corridors and provides a strategic freight route between
Grangemouth docks and various distribution centres in West Lothian.
The port of Grangemouth handles an estimated 10% of Scotland's GDP
- £8.2 billion (2007) - and a connection to major industrial and
distributor locations is vital for the port.
The Scottish Government has recognised the national importance
of access to Grangemouth and has included the Grangemouth Freight
Hub (which includes the A801) as one of nine national developments
included in the National Planning Framework.
An improved route would lead to a reduction in fuel costs (£1.9m
per annum) and:
reduce journey times saving £24.1m per annum
reduce accidents between Bowhouse and Wallhousemuir
roundabouts
increase the reliability of journey times for all vehicles
provide a vital strategic diversionary route between the M8 and M9
corridor
The project has planning permission from both Falkirk and West
Lothian Councils This cache can be accessed from various points see local maps
for short cuts
The cache is a small camo box
There is a FTF medal please take
