Michael McMahon, Labour MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, has commented on the commencement of procurement for the M8, M73 and M74 motorway improvements project.

Michael McMahon said:

 
“This project has already been delayed for three years by the SNP government, which means that before a single inch of tarmac is laid it will already be four years behind schedule.

 
“The constituency I represent has more people involved in construction than any other and is also a major hub for transport and logistics, so these delays have cost jobs. Businesses in this area have been crying out for improvements to help them trade and create jobs.

 
“It's now vital that there are no further delays and this project is delivered as quickly as possible. The fact that we must now wait until at least 2017 for this improvement is evidence of the lack of urgency that the SNP government has applied to infrastructure investment. However, I welcome this move forward as it is vital to help kick start a stagnant economy where unemployment continues to rise faster here in Scotland than the rest of the UK.”