Pictured: Aerial image of the A9/A904 courtesy of Scotdrone.
Councillors will meet on Tuesday, 9 May to consider progressing with revised A9/A904 road improvement works, including replacing the aerial walkway at Westfield with signalised road crossings.
Since plans for the project were approved in 2021, construction costs have significantly increased and now make the iconic pedestrian bridge unaffordable.
Council officers have responded to this situation, and are now recommending revised plans which replace the walkway with pedestrian/cycle paths separated from the traffic and ground level crossings. These new plans would still deliver the same active travel and economic gains as the original plans, but at a lower cost and with increased environmental benefits.
The Council will look to retain £14m of UK Government funding for the revised proposals through the Levelling Up Fund (LUF). Additional funding for the infrastructure would come from the Council's innovative Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) programme, which means business rates fund the costs rather than local residents.
The ongoing TIF programme expects to create an additional 4,000 jobs and 276,000 square metres of extra commercial floorspace over the next 15 years. There will also be affordable and open market housing brought to the area.
Malcolm Bennie, Director of Place Services, said: "The adapted project would allow Falkirk Council to deliver the vital strategic transport intervention at A9/A904 Westfield. It would achieve all the original vehicle and sustainable transport outcomes, reduce the carbon footprint of the overall project, and potentially be more supported by the community.
“If the local economy grows as we expect, then the business rates would fund the investment meaning the Council will not need to use any of its own money."
Pictured: The Falkirk Gateway Project development zone marked out in blue.
Mr Bennie added: “The scheme would also unlock the Falkirk Gateway Project beside the Forth Valley College campus to deliver a host of new retail, office and leisure opportunities for the local area.
“The focus on sustainable transportation through pedestrian and cycling infrastructure further aligns with the community's growing aspirations to travel more actively, making the development a welcomed addition to the local landscape.
“It is now for Elected Members to consider the proposal and decide if this is the right way forward for Falkirk Council."