M8 pedestrian bridge to be built in Glasgow

A contract to deliver the new M8 pedestrian bridge, which will extend over the dual carriageway to connect Glasgow City Centre with the community of Sighthill, has been awarded to the contractor company BAM Nuttall by the Glasgow City Council.

Costing almost £18.5M, the M8 pedestrian bridge development has been funded through the Glasgow City Region Deal which, itself, involves the central British Government allocating a sum of £500M towards the improvement of infrastructure in and around Glasgow.

The Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region City Deal Cabinet, Councillor Susan Aitken stated: “This new bridge will transform and encourage connectivity to and from Sighthill and will very much be a symbol of the emerging regeneration and revitalisation of the North of Glasgow.

“Communities like Sighthill are so close to the centre of Glasgow but have for far too long felt remote from it, physically, socially and economically. The new bridge will connect a vibrant new community to the benefits of its wonderful location and to the wider city.”

In fact, the provision of the M8 bridge, under the City Region Deal, will serve as a convenient gateway to commence the Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area which is the biggest regeneration scheme to take place outside of London and will cost around £250M.

The Scottish Government Infrastructure Secretary, Michael Matheson commented: “I welcome this new bridge, which will provide quick, easy and environmentally-friendly access to the city centre for the people of Sighthill and the surrounding area.

“Including our additional investment, the Scottish Government has now committed to more than £1.8Bn in City Region and Growth deals, helping to bring improvements like this to communities right across the length and breadth of Scotland.”

The Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack added: “It is great to see another milestone being hit at the hugely important and ambitious regeneration of Sighthill. The Glasgow City Region Deal is essential to ensuring the future prosperity of residents and local businesses.

“The UK Government is investing more than £1.4Bn in City Region and Growth Deals across Scotland. This programme is creating thousands of jobs and opportunities and we will continue to work with the Scottish Government to make sure these reach every part of Scotland.”

Construction of the bridge will begin in February and continue until Summer 2021.

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