Skip to main content

EIB agrees backing to upgrade Scotland’s core motorway network

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide a funding contribution of US$292 million towards the completion of the motorway link between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The project includes the completion of the M8 motorway between Scotland’s two largest cities and major improvements to the M73 and M74 to reduce congestion and safety and improve travel times on one of Scotland’s busiest road networks. “The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting crucial investment in essential infrast
February 25, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The 4270 European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide a funding contribution of US$292 million towards the completion of the motorway link between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The project includes the completion of the M8 motorway between Scotland’s two largest cities and major improvements to the M73 and M74 to reduce congestion and safety and improve travel times on one of Scotland’s busiest road networks.

“The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting crucial investment in essential infrastructure across Europe and we recognise the importance of the M8 scheme to upgrade Scotland’s core motorway links. This project will not only provide economic benefits during construction, but will also improve safety and reduce costs for business in the years ahead through improved travel times. We are committed to providing significant long-term financial support for the scheme.” said Jonathan Taylor, European Investment Bank vice-president responsible for the UK and Ireland.

Transport minister, Keith Brown, said: “This marks a significant milestone in the timeline of what is a major transport infrastructure project for Scotland. Not only will these works vastly improve connectivity across Scotland’s central belt, the project will deliver far reaching benefits to the wider Scottish economy.

“We’ll see the creation of hundreds of new jobs which will leave a lasting legacy of a highly-skilled workforce, bolstering Scotland’s construction industry. In addition, the project will act as a catalyst to attract significant inward investment and stimulate continued growth of our business communities.”

Debt financing for the project is equally split between a direct loan from the European Investment Bank and a bond placement with international investors. The new Scottish scheme represents the first UK road project involving bond finance since the global financial crisis in 2008, and is the largest project to be financed through the 2112 Scottish Government’s Non-Profit Distributing model.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • EIB offers €50m to Bolt in Estonia 
    February 5, 2020
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €50 million deal to support ride-hailing firm Bolt’s R&D efforts in Estonia. 
  • Highways England announces funding to improve major motorway junction
    April 7, 2017
    Highways England has announced plans to invest total of US$3.7 million (£3 million) for major improvements to Switch Island in Merseyside, one of the north-west’s busiest motorway junctions where the M57, M58 and three A roads connect. Construction work at the junction, which is used by over 90,000 vehicles every day, is expected to start next year. The scheme is designed to improve the flow of traffic and enhance safety, following 49 collisions at the junction in the past two years. New traffic light
  • UK government’s US$283 million road building boost for Bedfordshire
    March 4, 2016
    Two road-building schemes worth US$283 million, which are a key part of the UK government’s long-term economic plan for Bedfordshire, are on course to be delivered on time and on budget by spring 2017. The 2.8 mile, US$229 million A5-M1 Link scheme is being delivered by Highways England, while the US$54 million, 1.8 mile Woodside Link project is being completed by Central Bedfordshire Council. The A5-M1 Link dual carriageway project is intended to improve the east-west connection between the A5 and M1
  • ORR launches consultation on monitoring strategic roads network
    March 27, 2015
    The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has launched a public consultation setting out its proposed approach to a new monitoring regime to track Highways England’s performance in delivering its major roads investment programme. The consultation also sets out ORR’s strategic objective on securing improved performance and value for money from the strategic road network, and explains how ORR will hold Highways England to account. ORR is seeking comments from all interested parties by 19 June 2015. Last year th