Falkirk roads improvements around Westfield set to start in summer

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Work to widen the roads and construct crossing points around Westfield roundabout is expected to start in the summer after councillors agreed to appoint an engineering contractor to the project.Members of Falkirk Council's executive heard on Tuesday that Balfour Beatty has been working on the project's pre-construction development.Paul Kettrick, head of Invest Falkirk, said that appointing them would have "clear advantages of continuity of delivery", while their "in-depth knowledge and understanding of the project would be of benefit". Read more: Falkirk Council tenants will keep cleaning closes to avoid rent increases The project will take just over two years to deliver, and with the appointment now given the green light, council officers anticipate the 28-month construction contract will be signed in July.The road-widening project originally included plans to build an overbridge to link all four corners of the site - including Helix Park and Falkirk Stadium - but it was cancelled as costs rose to more than £25 million for the bridge alone.The new version of the project, however, has been given £14 million of Levelling Up funding from the UK Government to help ensure there are safe crossing places for pedestrians and cyclists.The overall project - estimated to cost around £40 million - has been funded by Falkirk Council's innovative Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) programme, which means it borrows against future business rates that the infrastructure will attract.Falkirk Council says that having already worked with Balfour Beatty during the early planning stages, it has gained "invaluable knowledge about construction approaches and a clearer understanding of project costs that will help ensure the effective and efficient