Planning permission has been granted for a new road that aims to cut congestion and boost business in Bishopbriggs.
East Dunbartonshire Council is moving forward with the Westerhill Development Road (previously referred to as Phase 5 of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road).
An application for 2km of new/upgraded carriageway and associated works, between the existing Westerhill Road and the A803 Kirkintilloch Road, was approved at a meeting of the Planning Board on 21 October 2025.
The route will connect an upgraded Torrance Roundabout and Lochgrog Roundabout, and will include the replacement of a section of Crosshill Road.
The Westerhill Development Road (WDR) project is part of the Council's City Deal Place and Growth Programme, which will also involve the delivery of improvements in Bishopbriggs town centre.
The £44.35 million programme is supported by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Glasgow City Region City Deal. It includes an additional, in-principle allocation of £7.5 million, approved by the Council in June, for the WDR – with final costs to be determined through the full business case process.
The WDR is part of the employment-focused Westerhill Regeneration Area Masterplan, which aims to unlock strategic business sites – with the long-term aim of bringing more jobs to the area – while reducing non-essential traffic in Bishopbriggs town centre. It does not include housing.
The new route incorporates part of a former RAF Bishopbriggs base – once a World War II barrage balloon depot and now identified as brownfield/development land – and consideration has been given to preserving archaeological remains, if found. There will be interpretation boards to support future appreciation of the site.
The WDR plans also include:
- Environmental mitigation such as wildlife passages and tunnels, planting throughout, an acoustic fence along part of the route, landscaping and Sustainable Drainage Systems to minimise disruption to existing water levels.
- A new active travel route for walking, wheeling and cycling. There will also be provision for future bus stops.
- The use of recycled materials and those with a lower carbon impact.
Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, "The new Westerhill Development Road is a key element of our Place and Growth Programme. Gaining planning consent is another step towards securing the necessary external funding, via the Glasgow City Region City Deal, to deliver the project.
The route will increase access to existing and proposed strategic business sites, boosting the local economy, while reducing congestion in Bishopbriggs town centre – helping to alleviate air quality issues.
Consultation took place in May/June 2023 on potential plans, after which an option was selected and progressed. As part of its requirements under the Planning (Scotland) Act, the Council carried out pre-application public consultation in late 2024/early 2025.
The City Deal project is taking an integrated approach to improve infrastructure within East Dunbartonshire, with two main elements:
- Bishopbriggs Town Centre Civic Space
- Delivery of the Westerhill Development Road and Masterplan for Westerhill.
Overall completion is planned for 2027/28. The Scottish Government is investing £520 million into the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with the UK Government providing £524 million.
