The East Airdrie Link Road project will link together Newhouse and Stand/Riggend, opening up a wider transport network in the Airdrie area, and will improve journey times, transport reliability, and connections across West Scotland. The new road will also provide better access to the new University Hospital Monklands, which is intended to be a net zero hospital.

The East Airdie Link Road (EALR) I s the section of the Pan Lanarkshire orbital transport corridor that will connect the M8 and the A73, south of Cumbernauld. This road will run past the new University Hospital Monklands at Wester Moffat, Airdrie, with the hospital set to open in 2031 and the EALR by 2030.

Thus, the council and the health board’s Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate to ensure that communities receive the best possible outcomes.

The Memorandum was signed by our chief executive Des Murray and Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Interim chief executive and director of planning, property and performance.

Des Murray, North Lanarkshire Council chief executive, added a comment while visiting the Wester Moffat site. He said: “Our Memorandum of Understanding underlines the partnership between the council and NHS Lanarkshire to ensure the hospital and road meet the needs of patients, families and hospital staff.

“We’re continuing to carry out regular consultations and engagement with local people as plans for the East Airdrie Link Road develop.”

Colin Launder, NHS Lanarkshire interim chief executive, mirrored his sentiments: “Our great working relationship with both of Lanarkshire’s local authorities is well known and this agreement with our colleagues at North Lanarkshire Council further underlines that spirit of co-operation.

“I was delighted to visit the site with Mr Murray to sign this important Memorandum. It spotlights the importance of the partnership working in the development of the road proposals to support our plans for Scotland’s most advanced hospital, which will bring fantastic healthcare benefits for communities across Lanarkshire.

“The council has exemplified strong partnership working by helping us ensure plans for the EALR’s route will support our patients, visitors and staff to reach the hospital.”