Local Communities Benefit From M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project
Along with its main contractors, Ferrovial Lagan and Amey, SRP launched the initiative to support local communities living close to the project and to bring about a positive and lasting legacy for the benefit of local residents.
Through the scheme, groups who meet the criteria are able to apply for up to £500 funding.
Organisations eligible for grants must be community, voluntary or charity groups, state-funded education providers or pre-school groups, within close proximity of the motorway improvements project.
To celebrate the holiday season, SRP is launching a summer funding bonus giving one lucky organisation the chance to benefit from DOUBLE the previously available funding and receive £1,000.
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: provide education and skills development; support a community initiative, group or charitable organisation; or benefit the local environment. Each application will be assessed by SRP’s Good Neighbour Fund panel.
Applications for the ‘Good Neighbour Fund’ £1,000 Summer bonus must be received no later than 31st August 2016.
SRP General Manager, Gabriel Valtuena-Ramos, said: “On completion in Spring 2017, the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project will help promote sustainable economic growth by improving access to facilities and employment areas.
“We’re really proud to engage with local communities and our Good Neighbour Fund allows us to create additional opportunities for community-based projects while construction works are ongoing.”
Graeme Reid, Project Sponsor for Transport Scotland, said: “This major investment in our road infrastructure will not only vastly improve connectivity across Scotland’s Central Belt when complete, but is also delivering significant benefits to local communities during the construction phase – through worthwhile initiatives such as the Good Neighbour Fund, the creation of hundreds of jobs and on-going investment in a highly skilled workforce, all of which has a lasting legacy for the Scottish economy.”
SRP ran a pilot of the initiative last year and members of Hattonrigg Senior Citizens Club in Bellshill were one of the first groups to apply for a grant and benefit from the funding.
The club was delighted to receive £500 to fund a memorable visit to the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.
Mary Meechan, Chairperson for Hattonrigg Senior Citizen Club, said: “The funding encouraged our members to visit places that many of them wouldn’t get the opportunity to see on their own. This grant made a real difference to our members, many of whom are widowed, are infirm or live alone, therefore we’re very gratefully to Scottish Roads Partnership for this grant.”
In addition, members of The Bothwell Horticultural Society (BHS) were successful in securing £500 for its environmental project, The Butterfly Sensory Garden on Bothwell Main Street.
Harry Marsh, secretary of Bothwell Horticultural Society, accepted the cheque on behalf of the organisation. He said: “We recently re-vamped the sensory garden which is now a popular attraction for many children and families living in the village. This funding will be used to install a new information board at the entrance to the garden and is very gratefully received from Scottish Roads Partnership.”
The M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project aims to tackle congestion problems on the A8/M8, M73, M74 and at key junctions including Raith (M74) and Shawhead (A725/A8).
When complete, congestion across the central Scotland motorway network will be significantly reduced, with travel time reliability on the main route between Glasgow and Edinburgh improved.
For more information regarding The Good Neighbour Fund and to receive an application form, please email info@scotroadspartnership.co.uk or call 0800 042 0188.