Following the publication of the draft road orders and Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the planned M9 Winchburgh Junction on the B8020 at Duntarvie, local communities and road users will have the opportunity to view draft orders and plans for the new junction online at www.transport.gov.scot/transport-network/roads/m9-winchburgh-junction.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic it is not possible to display the draft road orders and associated plans at local locations. The closing date for the statutory consultation period is Tuesday 8th October 2020.
The junction will be formed by constructing four new slip roads centred around the existing motorway bridge. As well as serving new housing and businesses within Winchburgh, the new motorway junction will facilitate a step change in accessibility for this region of West Lothian and support the delivery of the Winchburgh masterplan, which will bring the following benefits to the area:
- at least 3,800 homes including 750 affordable homes, of which 450 will be for social rent to address the critical shortage of housing in the area
- together with the schools, support around 550 FTE construction jobs at a time of economic need
- long-term employment opportunities both through the creation of a 40-acre industrial park and through new retail and leisure facilities estimated to deliver more than 5,000 FTE jobs
- delivery of green, open spaces such as the 78-acre Auldcathie District Park, Daisy Park and a new marina on the Union Canal
- further rail, road, park and ride, canal, pedestrian and cycle access routes
The motorway junction will be served by a new core road which will connect the town centre with the southern roundabout at the new M9 junction. The required planning applications for this new road have recently been submitted to West Lothian Council, with work planned to commence in summer 2021, subject to approval.
John Hamilton, Chief Executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd commented: “This is a major intervention to the motorway network and provides Winchburgh with a direct link to the M9. The new junction has been a core element of the Winchburgh masterplan since its inception and will improve transport connectivity across the central belt. As part of our planning conditions, it was agreed that no more than 1,000 residential units shall be occupied in Winchburgh until the new M9 junction is complete and delivery of this project meets that obligation. I would encourage those from the local area and other road users to review the plans online.”
Spanning 352 hectares, Winchburgh is one of the largest and most exciting placemaking projects currently underway in the UK delivering new homes, improved transport links, employment opportunities, state-of-the-art schools and stunning new outdoor spaces to the historic village.