These frequently asked questions have been put together following a local drop-in event and comments shared on social media.
They aim to provide clear, honest answers to the most common queries about the Westfield A9/A904 Improvement Project.
This include what’s happening, why it’s needed, how long it will take, and what it means for local people and the surrounding area – both during construction and once the project is complete.
The project aims to ease congestion, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety and accessibility for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. It will unlock the Falkirk Gateway Sites for development, encouraging economic growth and investment. The improvements will also create better connections between Falkirk and Grangemouth.
Here’s a summary of the main changes included in the project:
Widening roads: The A9 and A904 are being upgraded to dual carriageways to handle more traffic and support new developments like the Falkirk Gateway project.
Improving junctions: Traffic lights are being added at Westfield Roundabout, with new left-turn lanes and safe crossings for people walking.
New roundabouts: Two new roundabouts will be built – one at West Mains/Laurieston Road and another near the Helix Park Gateway site.
Better walking and cycling routes: New shared paths for walking, cycling, and wheeling will run alongside the A9 and A904.
Safer crossings: New traffic light crossings will make it easier and safer for people to cross the roads on foot or by bike.
Removing old underpass: The Midthorn underpass will be removed and replaced with a safer, well-lit road crossing.
Greener spaces: More than 1,700 trees and 9,000 hedgerow plants will be added, along with ponds and wetlands to help manage rainwater and boost biodiversity and local wildlife.
The project is expected to be completed by early 2027. This is a large and complex infrastructure scheme with many stages of work that must be carried out in a specific order.
One of the main challenges is the ground conditions in the area. Before the new road can be built, temporary drainage needs to be installed to remove groundwater and stabilise the ground. Each section can take up to six months to settle before the main construction can begin.
There’s also a huge number of underground pipes and cables – like water, gas, electricity, and broadband – that need to be moved. These can’t just be dug up and shifted bit by bit. We have to wait until a new stretch of road is in place so we can run those services along it before disconnecting the old ones. That means we can’t just work on small sections at a time.
We know the current disruption is frustrating. The reality is, if we closed the roads entirely, the work would be much faster, but the knock-on impact to local communities, emergency services, and businesses would be far worse.
That’s why the project is being delivered in carefully planned phases, balancing safety, disruption, and the need to keep people moving.
The project is being delivered in phases to reduce disruption as much as possible. Some sections are being completed and opened before others begin.
We’ll keep this website up to date with all the latest news and project updates. Key updates will also be shared through the Council’s social media channels.
No, this project is not funded by Council Tax or through other council budgets.
Most of the funding comes from Falkirk Council’s Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) scheme. This is a special agreement with the Scottish Government that lets the Council borrow money to deliver infrastructure improvements – mainly along the M9 Corridor – and pay it back using business rates from new commercial developments. These developments must happen within 28 pre-agreed sites across the Falkirk Council area, known as ‘red line’ sites. Examples include the Falkirk Gateway, Abbotsford Business Park, and Earls Road. Any new business that sets up in these areas helps generate the income needed to fund the work.
The project is also supported by £14.1 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. This is a national grant that helps pay for major infrastructure projects like roads and walking and cycling routes. The funding doesn’t need to be paid back and is designed to support local regeneration, improve transport connections, and help communities thrive.
TIF funding is ring-fenced and can only be used for specific infrastructure projects designed to boost the economy. It cannot be used for general maintenance like potholes.
In addition to TIF-funded projects, the Council has agreed to invest around £72m over the next five years (2025-30) to improve roads, bridges, drainage, flood management, and infrastructure across the Falkirk Council area.
A footbridge was considered during the design phase but was removed as it was too expensive to deliver given the Council’s current financial position. Underpasses were also assessed but discounted because of the area’s high-water table which would make construction and long-term maintenance challenging. Instead, the scheme includes high-quality, signal-controlled pedestrian crossings that offer safe, accessible routes for all users while keeping costs and environmental impacts lower.
Temporary pedestrian diversion routes are currently in place and clearly signposted. Once the project is complete, there will be a continuous, upgraded cycle and footpath network with improved lighting, crossings, and accessibility throughout the area.
The new two-way link road between Alexander Avenue and the Fire Station is expected to open in late summer 2026. The project includes measures to manage traffic flow and discourage drivers from bypassing the new roundabout signals. Driver behaviour will be monitored once the road is operational, and additional traffic calming or enforcement measures may be introduced on local residential streets if necessary.
Before any construction began, detailed ecological surveys and assessments were carried out to understand the local environment. This included habitat surveys, testing, and assessments for protected and notable species such as nesting birds and bats.
A key aim of the project was to achieve a biodiversity net gain of at least 5%. Current analysis shows this target will be exceeded, with a projected gain of over 8%.
While the woodland area around the Helix Park boundary included a variety of species, it was assessed as being of low overall quality against the relevant British Standard. As part of the project’s long-term landscape and biodiversity plan, a broader mix of trees and plants will be introduced to support habitats and enhance biodiversity.
This includes:
The length of hedgerows will increase more than fourfold, with nearly 9,000 new hedgerow plants being introduced. These will support wildlife such as hedgehogs and mice by creating safer travel corridors and reducing the risk of animals entering the road network.
Yes, the Westfield A9/A904 Improvement Project is directly connected to the Falkirk Gateway development and supports the Forth Green Freeport.
Double yellow lines will be installed along the full length of the new link road and on Alexander Avenue immediately around the junction – similar to other nearby junctions. As these are enforceable by the Council, Falkirk Council’s parking enforcement team will be responsible for making sure drivers follow the double yellow line restrictions.
Temporary bus stops will be provided at various times during the works, but existing bus stops will still be in place after the works are complete.
