THE Scottish Office has agreed to consider an alternative scheme to
the planned M80 extension on the Glasgow to Stirling route, it emerged
yesterday.
Two proposals being considered have provoked protests from campaigners
who say the plans would cause pollution and destroy environmentally
sensitive areas.
But a Scottish Office spokeswoman last night confirmed that officials
had agreed to design and appraise an alternative scheme to be looked at
with the other proposals.
The decision follows a meeting in Edinburgh earlier this week between
representatives of leading environmental organisations and officials
from the Scottish Office Industry Department's roads directorate.
Of the two existing proposals, the Scottish Office indicated last year
that it preferred a three-lane motorway through the Kelvin Valley.
The other route, going through Castlecary Glen, would involve
converting the A80 to a four-lane motorway along most of its length.
But Care 80, the Campaign for the Retention and Enhancement of the
A80, has been promoting a limited upgrade of the Stepps to Haggs section
of the A80 as an alternative to the two motorway proposals.
Care 80 is an alliance of national organisations, including Friends of
the Earth Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, local groups, and
concerned individuals.
Mr John Woods, senior campaigner with Friends of the Earth Scotland,
said yesterday: ''I am delighted that the Scottish Office has agreed to
evaluate our plans.''
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