6.9 The East End and Riverside areas contain significant amounts of vacant land and derelict buildings poorly located in relation to transport infrastructure. To stimulate the economic regeneration of these areas, gaps in Glasgow’s strategic road network require to be filled, principally through the M74 Completion and the East End Regeneration Route. The Bishopbriggs Relief Road is also regarded as significant (Figure 6.4). A detailed assessment of the impact and benefits of any proposal for a Yoker Relief Road will require to be undertaken before a specific line can be confirmed or planning permission granted (in the meantime, protection for the route is provided by Strategic Policy 9 of the Joint Structure Plan). A study of the transport requirements of the area between Oatlands and Kinning Park is also required.

6.10 Completion of the M74, the crucial missing link in the Scottish motorway network, will relieve the congested Kingston Bridge and inner sections of the M8 and significantly improve road access to international transport facilities such as Glasgow Airport and Eurocentral. The M74 completion will help deliver the Clyde Gateway Initiative identified in the Joint Structure Plan. Its completion will improve access to the area responsible for generating over 60% of Scotland’s manufactured exports and help to unlock vacant industrial land and buildings with the potential to generate over 40,000 jobs.

6.11 Significant urban expansion is taking place at Robroyston with the Single User and Strategic Industrial and Business site and the development of new housing, both within the City boundary and in neighbouring East Dunbartonshire. Part of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road, which serves this area, has already been implemented and the remaining stretch is reserved. Completion of this road would improve accessibility to the Robroyston area.

The implementation of the following road schemes will be supported:

Figure 6.4: Proposed Road Schemes

6.12 The absence of a rail link to Glasgow Airport places it at a disadvantage compared with other UK and European airports. The lack of a direct link between the North and South electric rail networks also affects the Airport’s ability to attract passengers from the wider Scottish market. A direct rail link to the Airport and the construction of a link between the two electric networks would consolidate and extend the Airport’s Scottish catchment and enhance its contribution to the economic well-being of the City. (Figure 6.5)

The City Council will support the implementation of an Airport Link.

6.13 Directing major road traffic intensive uses to areas with good access to the existing strategic network will minimise their impact on the environment, optimise the use of strategic road space and reduce costs. The Development Policies in Part 2 seek to create the basic conditions necessary to encourage economic investment by identifying development opportunities close to major road infrastructure. Proposals for business/industrial developments will, therefore, be directed towards the areas identified through the Development Policies set out in Part 2 of the Plan.

Figure 6.5: Proposed Airport Rail Links

6.14 The Council also recognises the need to ensure that the existing rail freight network is used to best advantage. The presence of King George V Dock and Deanside Freight Terminal, both international transport facilities, is important to the City’s economic competitiveness. Developing the capacity and effectiveness of these facilities will be of particular benefit to export-based industries in Glasgow and the wider Conurbation. It is important, therefore, that these and other sites adjacent to the network, suitable for rail freight and rail linked development, are safeguarded. This will be achieved through policy TRANS 2: International Transport Facilities, set out in Part 2.

The City Council will safeguard King George V Dock and Deanside Freight Terminal and will investigate, with a view to safeguarding, other sites suitable for rail freight and rail linked development.