16 August 2012 Last updated at 12:45 ET

New slip roads on the M876 near Larbert are completed

The £2.8m Glenbervie project will give vehicles access to the M876 from the A9 at Larbert

Work on two new motorway slip roads near on the M876 near Larbert is set to be completed.

The £2.8m Glenbervie project will give vehicles access to the motorway from the A9.

Previously drivers in Larbert had to travel a longer route via Bowtrees to get on to the M876, adding five and half miles to their journeys.

The new roads are expected to help reduce traffic congestion in the area and also boost the local economy.

Each slip road is approximately 500m in length with a 3.7m wide carriageway and 3.3m wide hard shoulder.

Local benefits

A new roundabout has also been created on the A9 Stirling road to link the on-slip to the M876.

The leader of Falkirk Council, Cllr Craig Martin, said: "This will undoubtedly bring many benefits to the local area in terms of the economy, environment and tourism.

"The new roads will also help with access to the new Forth Valley Royal Hospital and to other local amenities.

"There are also a number of new road safety measures being introduced on the A9 thanks to the project including a new footway, pedestrian crossing and an extension of the 40mph speed limit on the north side."

Improved access

The completion of the works have been welcomed by the Scottish government, who met nearly two thirds of the overall scheme cost.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The upgrade to a four-way interchange will improve accessibility to the M876 and M9 motorways, the Clackmannanshire Bridge, and the Larbert area.

"Road users will soon feel all of the early benefits the improvements will bring, in particular by providing better and faster access to and from the newly opened Forth Valley Royal Hospital, as well as easing congestion in the local area."