The council granted planning permission this week for a 2.3km route in Airdrie, known as the Towers Road Link, which will connect Towers Road with Forrest Street. This section is part of the wider East Airdrie Link Road project and includes a bridge over the North Calder Water, a signalised roundabout at Varnsdorf Way, and active travel features.
The Scottish Government has confirmed its funding contribution to the project, which will provide a second access route to the planned hospital site from the main East Airdrie Link Road. The East Airdrie Link Road is a key component of the Pan Lanarkshire Transport Corridor, linking the M74 and M80 motorways as part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal Programme.
Council Leader Councillor Jim Logue stated, “Construction of the East Airdrie Link Road reflects our ambitions for North Lanarkshire, creating opportunities for business and industry, stronger connections between town centres, residential and employment areas, and improving transport links.” He added, “With planning permission in place, we can now move forward with delivery of the Towers Road Link, the first stage in this ambitious project.”
Work on the new road is scheduled to commence in 2028 and complete in 2030. Katharina Kasper, Chair of NHS Lanarkshire, expressed pleasure at the agreement, stating, “This decision underlines the powerful shared commitment between NHS Lanarkshire, the Scottish Government and North Lanarkshire Council to deliver our state-of-the-art new hospital.”
Graeme Reid, Project Director for the Monklands Replacement Project, highlighted the importance of the access route, noting, “These two milestone decisions on funding and planning consent mean the community will now benefit from a second hospital access route through the Towers Road Link.” Health Secretary Angela Constance confirmed the Scottish Government's funding commitment, stating, “Our funding commitment reflects the Scottish Government's continued support for the infrastructure required to enable delivery of the new hospital at Wester Moffat.”
A comprehensive redesign of the Monklands Replacement Programme is underway, with refreshed plans to be presented to Ministers in 2027. North Lanarkshire Council is leading the development of the East Airdrie Link Road, with work on the Towers Road Link planned to open in 2030.
