East End MSP, John Mason, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of the intention to award a contract to construct the new M8 and make improvements to the M73 and M74, with a net value of £500m, which will create hundreds of jobs.

In response to a parliamentary question lodged by the Shettleston MSP, the Scottish Government announced that the contract will be the largest to be awarded as part of the Scottish Government’s Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model, and construction costs now stand at £105m below original estimates.

Welcoming the news from Holyrood, Mr Mason said:

“Once again we see this SNP Government getting shovels into the ground and Scotland’s transport infrastructure growing.  Locally, in the East End, we can really see the tangible difference this makes, not just in terms of expanding the road network – with the M74 extension – but also the sheer economic boost that comes with upgrading the motorway network.

“We’re not just focusing on roads either. The Airdrie to Bathgate rail line has been a real success. We now look forward to the completion of the Whifflet-Central line too which should be upgraded in time for the Commonwealth Games which, of course, in their own right will leave a lasting legacy for our community”.