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.''