A NEW motorway junction on the M8 has opened near Glasgow - three months ahead of schedule.

Junction 29A will connect Bishopton to surrounding areas on Scotland's busiest motorway. 

The road was created as part of BAE Systems’ ongoing transformation of the former Royal Ordnance Factory site into Dargavel Village housing development. 

The multimillion-pound junction joins the intersection of Greenock Road (A8) and the M8, providing direct access eastbound towards Glasgow, as well as a direct exit from the motorway westbound.

Glasgow Times:

Steve Fogg, Managing Director at BAE Systems Shared Services, said: “The opening of this new junction is a major milestone in our efforts to deliver Dargavel Village and we’re delighted to be opening it ahead of schedule and in time for the festive season.

“We are continuing to invest significantly in the local infrastructure to support the development of Dargavel Village, and we look forward to see the area grow and develop in the future.”

Construction of the new junction began in January 2017 and has taken less than three years to build.

The work was undertaken by UK-based civil engineering company Morgan Sindall Infrastructure on behalf of BAE Systems.

More than 50 companies were involved in the design and build, of which 40 percent were Scotland-based companies.

Glasgow Times:

Simon Smith, Managing Director, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “We are pleased to have delivered this project early, which is a testament to the teamwork from everyone involved. We are committed to improving the infrastructure of the UK for the benefit of all and anticipate this new junction will significantly improve access to surrounding areas.”

Fraser Carlin, Head of Housing and Planning, Renfrewshire Council, added: "This will be a great addition to the connectivity of Bishopton and the surrounding areas of Renfrewshire as Dargavel Village continues to expand and develop, and we look forward to the new junction opening in advance of the busy festive season."

BAE Systems began redeveloping the former Royal Ordnance Factory site in 2012 which now has over 1,200 homes, a new park-and-ride car park, a village centre with supermarket and a number of green open spaces.

When complete in 2034, Dargavel Village will consist of 4,000 new homes, a primary school and community centre, a day nursery, additional park-and-ride facilities at the adjacent railway station, a health centre, retail, amenity and leisure facilities, and Dargavel Country Park – a 1,300 acre open woodland area surrounding the village.