THE first major contract for a £1.6billion project to transform Glasgow's East End is due to be awarded this week.

THE first major contract for a £1.6billion project to transform Glasgow's East End is due to be awarded this week.

A Perth-based reclamation firm is set to win the £11.87million contract for preparatory work on the massive Clyde Gateway scheme.

The city council is expected to award the contract for the project's advance enabling works to I & H Brown Ltd at its executive committee meeting on Friday.

The work involves digging out derelict sites in Dalmarnock to make them ready for the building of the new national Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome.

It will also allow the construction of the East End Regeneration Route.

Flood prevention work, including the diversion of the Camlachie Burn, will also be carried out as part of the contract.

A Clyde Gateway spokesman said: "This is yet more great news for everyone connected with Clyde Gateway.

"Work of this nature is crucial if our hopes and aspirations for 21,000 new jobs and 10,000 new homes over the next two decades are to be realised."

Councillor George Ryan, executive member for development and regeneration, said: "This contract can begin the process of preparing land and infrastructure in the area and attract thousands of new homes and jobs."

The current cost of the Clyde Gateway project is £1.6bn - £100m from the public purse and £1.5bn from private enterprise.

It's hoped to build 400,000 sq m of business space in the area and create 21,000 jobs, with many of them targeted at local residents.

A total of 10,000 homes will be built and the scheme will boost the population of East Glasgow and South Lanarkshire by 20,000.