The M80 is a motorway in central Scotland, running through Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Falkirk and Stirling and links the M8 and M9 motorways. 11 miles (18 km) long, it is currently in two sections; the southern section runs from Glasgow to Stepps, the northern section runs from Haggs to Stirling. There are current plans to connect Stepps to Haggs and connect the two halves.
This section of road (opened in 1992.[1]), also known as the 'Stepps Bypass' begins at M8 Junction 13 in the Glasgow suburb of Blochairn. It runs to the north of Stepps, under the Cumbernauld Railway Line with exits for Bishopbriggs, Lenzie and Kirkintilloch, turns sharp right down and terminates at the A80. Traffic must then continue north east on the A80.
Northern section (Haggs to M9 J9)
When the A80 reaches Haggs at the junction with the A803, the northern section of the M80 resumes (opened in 1974[2]) and runs for about one mile[3] to until it meets the M876 for traffic towards the Kincardine Bridge. The M80 continues north passing to the west of Denny and after five miles meets a junction with the A91 (the same roundabout interchange also hosts Stirling Services) and then merges into the M9 just outside Stirling at Bannockburn[3].
Improvements underway
M80 Stepps to Haggs (M80 Completion)
The M80 Stepps to Haggs scheme, also known as the 'M80 Completion' scheme will connect the two halves of the current motorway and pass through Cumbernauld and Auchenkilns. The upgrade will be constructed in 3 phases with work starting in 2008 and by complete in 2011 at an estimated cost of £130m to £180m.[4] Phase 1 will then run up to the Auchenkilns junction and phase 2 will then run up to the existing A80. Phase 3 will connect to the M73 motorway which will be extended to meet a new junction as an online upgrade of the A80. The Auchenkilns Roundabout was grade separated in 2005. It will cross the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk railway line and Forth and Clyde Canal.
The current A80 between the two sections of motorway is one of the busiest roads in Scotland[5] and studies from the 1970s onwards have highlighted the need to upgrade to a motorway along this route[6].
Encyclopedia
top
