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Glasgow's new £657m M74 extension set to open Glasgow's new £657m M74 extension set to open
(about 7 hours later)
The controversial M74 extension through Glasgow will open to traffic later -after coming in almost three times over the original estimated budget. The controversial M74 extension through Glasgow will open to traffic later - after coming in almost three times over the original estimated budget.
The five-mile (8km) route, which cost £657m, links the previous end of the M74 at Carmyle with the M8 southwest of the Kingston Bridge in central Glasgow.The five-mile (8km) route, which cost £657m, links the previous end of the M74 at Carmyle with the M8 southwest of the Kingston Bridge in central Glasgow.
Supporters claim it will bring economic benefits to the west of Scotland.Supporters claim it will bring economic benefits to the west of Scotland.
Critics of the extension argue it will cause more pollution, increase health problems and fragment communities.Critics of the extension argue it will cause more pollution, increase health problems and fragment communities.
Planning permission for the route was granted in October 1995.Planning permission for the route was granted in October 1995.
Public inquiryPublic inquiry
The scheme was immediately opposed by Joint Action Against the M74 (Jam74) - a coalition of community, environmental and sustainable transport groups.The scheme was immediately opposed by Joint Action Against the M74 (Jam74) - a coalition of community, environmental and sustainable transport groups.
Its case, that the road would pollute and harm local communities, seemed to be strengthened when a public inquiry concluded it should not be built.Its case, that the road would pollute and harm local communities, seemed to be strengthened when a public inquiry concluded it should not be built.
This was rejected, however, in 2005 by the then Labour/Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive which said the positive aspects of the extension had not been given enough weight by the inquiry Reporter.This was rejected, however, in 2005 by the then Labour/Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive which said the positive aspects of the extension had not been given enough weight by the inquiry Reporter.
Friends of the Earth Scotland and Jam74 launched a last-ditch legal bid to halt the project but later abandoned this on legal advice.Friends of the Earth Scotland and Jam74 launched a last-ditch legal bid to halt the project but later abandoned this on legal advice.
Construction finally began in May 2008. It was carried out by Interlink M74, a joint venture comprising Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est, Morrison Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine.Construction finally began in May 2008. It was carried out by Interlink M74, a joint venture comprising Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est, Morrison Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine.
When the extension finally opens at 1900 BST on Tuesday, it will have cost about £657m.When the extension finally opens at 1900 BST on Tuesday, it will have cost about £657m.
The projected cost of the project was put at £177m in 1999, increasing to £250m in 2003 and rising to £445m by the time the contract was awarded in February 2008.The projected cost of the project was put at £177m in 1999, increasing to £250m in 2003 and rising to £445m by the time the contract was awarded in February 2008.
Audit Scotland put the total bill for the project, including land purchases, at £692m by June 2008.Audit Scotland put the total bill for the project, including land purchases, at £692m by June 2008.
The Scottish government has hailed the project as "early and under budget".The Scottish government has hailed the project as "early and under budget".
'Undesirable results''Undesirable results'
Stan Blackley, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said ministerial approval for the road despite a public inquiry ruling against it was "one of the worst environmental decisions since the beginning of devolution".Stan Blackley, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said ministerial approval for the road despite a public inquiry ruling against it was "one of the worst environmental decisions since the beginning of devolution".
"This new road will, as the inquiry stated back in 2005, have 'very serious undesirable results' and any benefits will be limited, short-term and ephemeral," he said."This new road will, as the inquiry stated back in 2005, have 'very serious undesirable results' and any benefits will be limited, short-term and ephemeral," he said.
"Half of all households in Glasgow do not have access to a car, so this new road will do little or nothing to help them. Instead, it will increase air pollution and carbon emissions. The project's own environmental statement confirms this."Half of all households in Glasgow do not have access to a car, so this new road will do little or nothing to help them. Instead, it will increase air pollution and carbon emissions. The project's own environmental statement confirms this.
"The new road is completely at odds with Scottish government commitment and targets for cutting carbon emissions, and will make it more difficult for Glasgow to tackle its considerable air pollution problems in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.""The new road is completely at odds with Scottish government commitment and targets for cutting carbon emissions, and will make it more difficult for Glasgow to tackle its considerable air pollution problems in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games."