Environmental Protection

The Scottish Government

TRANSPORT SCOTLAND

ROADS (SCOTLAND) ACT 1984

THE M8 (JUNCTION 4A AT WHITBURN CONNECTING ROADS)

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS, as the relevant roads authority, are considering implementing the following project to construct a new grade separated junction at the M8 at Whitburn, West Lothian. The project includes the following:

1.  The M8 (Junction 4a at Whitburn Connecting Roads) Special Road Scheme 200[] the general effect of which will be to provide for the construction of new lengths of slip roads to form part of the M8/A8 Edinburgh to Greenock Trunk Road.

2.  The M8 (Junction 4a at Whitburn Connecting Roads) Side Roads Order 200[] the general effect of which will be to provide for the construction of new lengths of side road, the stopping up of a private means of access; and the provision of a new means of access.

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS give notice that the project is subject to the environmental impact assessment procedure prescribed by sections 20A and 55A of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as amended and they have prepared an Environmental Statement in accordance with the provisions of that Act as amended.

COPIES of the Environmental Statement are available for inspection by any person, free of charge, during normal business hours from 29th July 2008 to 12th September 2008 at:

the offices of Transport Scotland, Reception, 9th Floor, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF between 08:30 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 08.30 - 16.30 on a Friday;

West Lothian Council, Whitburn Town Hall, 5 East Main Street, Whitburn, West Lothian EH47 0RA between 08:30 - 17:00 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 08.30 - 15.00 on a Wednesday and 08.30 - 16.00 on a Friday;

Whitburn Library, West Main Street, Whitburn, West Lothian EH47 0AR between 09.30 - 17.30 Monday and Friday, 09.30 - 20.00 Tuesday and Thursday, 10.00 - 17.30 on a Wednesday and 09.30 - 13.00 on a Saturday;

Whitburn Post Office, 56 East Main Street, Whitburn, West Lothian EH47 0RD between 09.00 - 17.30 Monday to Friday and 09.00 - 12.30 on a Saturday;

West Lothian Council, County Buildings, High Street, Linlithgow EH49 7EZ between 08.30 - 17.00 Monday to Thursday and 08.30 - 16.00 on a Friday.

COPIES of the Environmental Statement can also be obtained from the offices of Transport Scotland, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF at a charge of £200 for a hard copy or £20 on CD. Requests for further information about the project may be sent to the same address.

A COPY of the Environmental Statement is also available for inspection on Transport Scotland’s website at www.transportscotland.gov.uk

ANY PERSON wishing to make any representations about the project and the Environmental Statement may do so in writing, to the Chief Road Engineer c/o Mark Paterson, Transport Scotland, Trunk Roads Network Management Directorate, 8th Floor, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF quoting reference UM/NSE/M8/J4A(EN)/MP by 12th September 2008.

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS will take into consideration any representations so made before deciding whether or not to proceed with the project with or without modifications.

17th July 2008.

J G Barton, a member of the staff of the Scottish Ministers

Transport Scotland, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF.