Press Release

SMITH WELCOMES WORK ON NEW M9 SPUR

17/5/06

Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, has welcomed today’s sod-cutting, which marks the beginning of construction work on the new M9 spur.

Ms Smith, who will attend today’s launch, commented:

“This is excellent news. This new road has long been seen as the vital “missing link” in the major road network around Edinburgh. The new spur will take traffic from the A8000 which, despite being classified as a “local road”, serves as the main route for traffic from the Forth Road Bridge to the central Scotland motorway network, the City Bypass and the Airport.

“The heavy volume of traffic on the A8000 has long inconvenienced both local residents and commuters. That is why I put pressure on the Scottish Executive to contribute funding for the project: I was delighted last April when they announced that they would do so. I am very glad that the A8000 will now serve a more suitable primary purpose as a local road link between Kirkliston and South Queensferry.

“I am confident that local residents will experience further knock-on benefits from this work. After the road has been built, the Council intends to introduce traffic calming measures in Kirkliston. These are intended to reduce “rat running” and the number of heavy goods vehicles that run through the village. A number of my constituents have brought these problems to my attention in recent times.

“I also welcome the new safer cycleway which will be constructed between South Queensferry and Kirkliston, running along the A8000. I am sure that this will be well-used by local people, and will bring a number of health and environmental benefits.”