Ambitious project to widen Falkirk and M9 road links and make them safer

The plans to dual sections of the A9 and the A904 - from Earl's Gate roundabout to Middlefield - will involve building three new roundabouts and several pedestrian crossings as well as transforming Westfield roundabout.

One of the new roundabouts will be built between the A904 and Middlefield Road as residents in Alexander Avenue will no longer be able to turn right when driving out of the street.

Another new roundabout will link the A904 with West Mains Road and the large industrial estate with Laurieston Road, to improve the junction safety and help the flow of traffic especially for heavy goods vehicles.

The third new roundabout will be built to provide access to the planned Gateway site which is still in development but which could transform the area across from Helix Park and beside Falkirk fire station.

While nothing has yet been agreed, proposals for the area include new shops and a hotel and a pedestrian crossing will also be put in place to allow safe access to the Helix.

New Scotmid store in Bo'ness opened by long serving staff member

A puffin crossing will also be added on Middlefield Road and near the ambulance station to make it easier to get to and from the new Forth Valley college.

The centrepiece of the scheme is a four-way crossing that will take people on foot and bike safely over the busy roads around the new college, Helix Park and Falkirk Stadium without slowing down traffic.

Its eye-catching design is such that its architects hope the crossing will become as iconic as the Kelpies themselves.

The new road layout is expected to see traffic rise by around 25 to 30 per cent - but the hope is that the new crossing will provide a central hub for green and active travel routes between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

The project will be funded through the Tax Incremental Finance scheme (TIF) with additional European funding and is expected to play a major part in the council’s economic recovery plan.

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FKH/V