Challenge forces year-plus delay for M74 extension

The £500m extension of Scotland’s M74 motorway is expected to be delayed by well over a year after it was revealed that a challenge lodged against the scheme won’t be considered until next June at the earliest.

In June, CJ revealed that the project was put on hold after campaign groups JAM74 and Friends of the Earth lodged a challenge against the scheme once the Scottish Executive decided to push ahead with the project against the advice of its inquiry reporter Richard Hickman (CJ 13 June).

CJ now understands that the Court of Session won’t be able to consider the challenge until 27 June next year, which will put back tendering for the project until the end of 2006.

The delay means that completion is not expected until 2009 or early 2010 and that the scheme’s cost will increase.

An Executive spokesman was unable to comment on when tendering would begin and what impact the delayed hearing would have on the scheme’s cost and its future.

Alan Watt, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association (CECA) – Scotland, said: “We are disappointed, but not surprised by the delays with the M74 completion. Our concern is that the delay opens a significant gap in the Scottish roads programme. 

“CECA believes a raft of smaller capital and maintenance projects on trunk roads and local roads should be fast-tracked.”