THE spotlight is falling on a programme to complete the motorway network in Central Scotland and slash travelling times between Glasgow and Edinburgh by almost 20 minutes.

Transport chiefs are holding a series of public exhibitions to highlight the benefits of the £415 million scheme and the detailed plans for the project known as the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements.

The improvements will have a major impact on thousands of drivers who use the motorway network in the central belt.

Upgrades of the busy M74 - including the link to the M73 - are part of the programme. Other features are:

l Bringing the A8 between Baillieston and Newhouse up to motorway standard to finally complete the Glasgow-Edinburgh M8 which Transport Scotland said will cut travelling time by approximately 18 minutes when the upgrade ends in 2017.

l Upgrading the M73 - it links the M74 and M8 - between Baillieston and Maryville.

l Major improvements to the Raith interchange off the M74 at Junction 5.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "As the project is now in its final stages prior to construction I would encourage communities and road users to take the opportunity to visit these exhibitions and remind themselves of the plans for this project."

Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government agency responsible for the project, says the completion of the M8 and upgrades to the M73 and M74 will "finalise" the motorway network for the region.

Public exhibitions will be held:

l Tomorrow at Broomhouse Hall, Baillieston Road, Baillieston, Glasgow.

l Wednesday at the Whifflet Community Centre in Easton Place, Coatbridge.

l Thursday at Sir John Wilson Town Hall in Stirling Street, Airdrie.

| Monday October 21, at Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse.

l Wednesday October 23 in the Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Park, Motherwell.

l Thursday October 24 at the Viewpark Parish Church in Old Edinburgh Road, Uddingston. Each day from noon until 7pm.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk