Ravenscraig

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Ravenscraig
Ravenscraig shown within Scotland
Population	0
- Density	0/sq mi (0/km²)
OS grid reference	NS756563
- Edinburgh	41 mi (66 km)
- London	393 mi (632 km)
Council area	North Lanarkshire Council
Lieutenancy area	Motherwell
Constituent country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MOTHERWELL
Postcode district	ML1-ML2 (part)
Dialling code	01698
Police
Fire
Ambulance	Scottish
European Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Motherwell and Wishaw
Scottish Parliament	Motherwell and Wishaw
	Central Scotland
Website: [1]
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 55°47′31″N 3°58′03″W / 55.792017, -3.967524

Ravenscraig is an area of land located in North Lanarkshire. It was formerly the site of Ravenscraig steelworks, once the largest hot strip steel mill in Western Europe. Ravenscraig was previously inhabited by workers for the steel industry, which closed in 1992, and is now almost totally demolished.

Ravenscraig is now in the process of a major redevelopment by Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd, Scottish Enterprise and Corus.

Contents 1 Location 2 History 3 Current State 4 Future Plans 4.1 Transport 4.2 Motherwell FC Rumours 4.3 Controversy 5 Location Grid 6 External links 7 References

[edit] Location

Ravenscraig is located in one of the most accessible parts of Scotland, with over two thirds of Scotland’s population within 90 minutes drive time.

Located in North Lanarkshire, Ravenscraig lies between the towns of Wishaw and Motherwell, who together house a population of over 60,000.

Ravenscraig lies only a few minutes drive from both the M74 and the M8 motorways which lead to Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland's two largest cities, allowing easy access for commuters and visitors to the area.

[edit] History

Main article: Ravenscraig steelworks

A major expansion of Colvilles, the largest steel manufacturer in the United Kingdom before World War II,^[1] was approved in July 1954 by the Iron and Steel Board.^[2]

In 1954 the first stages of development began in Ravenscraig turning a green field into a site for steelworks. By 1957 several coke ovens, a by-products plant, a blast furnace and an open hearth melting shop with three steelmaking furnaces were built, and by 1959 a stripmill was complete.^[3]

The closure of Ravenscraig in 1993 signalled the end of large scale steel making in Scotland;^[4] and was the cause of a loss of 770 jobs, and another 10,000 job losses directly and indirectly linked.^[5]

[edit] Current State

In its current state, Ravenscraig is one of the largest derelict sites in Europe measuring over 1125 acres in size, an area equivalent to 700 football pitches or twice the size of Monaco.^[6][7][8]

[edit] Future Plans

After many years of planning, Ravenscraig will be 'regenerated' and rebuilt by three equal shareholders: Wilson Bowden Developments Ltd, Scottish Enterprise and Corus and will be one of the largest regenerations in Europe, with 400 acres being developed.

Ravenscraig will be home to several new facilities:

New Facilities
3,500 new homes
A new town centre with 84,000 sq m of retail and leisure space
Up to 216,000 sq m of business and industrial space
Major parkland areas
A new transport network
New sports facility
A new college campus
Two New schools.

Part of the development will be to create new habitats for the wildlife already living in the area, such as deer, foxes, hares, otters, badgers, watervoles, butterflies and birds such as the wader, song thrush and the little ringed plover, with an Ecological Clerk of Works appointed to 'ensure compliance with Ravesncraig Ltd’s aims and objectives by all developers and contractors. '.^[9]

It is hoped that the £29million redevelopment of the sports complex will be used as training camps for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.^[10]

[edit] Transport

As part of the regeneration, the transport links to Ravenscraig will be greatly improved. There will be a new transport interchange within walking distance of the new town centre offering bus services to Glasgow and Lanark. There will be easy access to public transport throughout the site including dedicated business routes. These will link to the broader public transport network with options to connect to the Motherwell and Carfin rail stations.^[11]

When the rail links are complete, Ravenscraig will be connected on the General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Railway which will greatly help commuters into areas of Glasgow and also Kilmarnock, Ayr and even further afield.

[edit] Motherwell FC Rumours

It has widely been rumoured that the local Scottish Premier League football team, Motherwell Football Club is preparing for the purchase and construction of a new stadium in Ravenscraig, leaving behind their home of 113 years, Fir Park. This rumour has since been quashed, with Motherwell Chairman, John Boyle stating "No decisions have been taken and we are simply exploring realistic options at this stage."^[12]

[edit] Controversy

The plans for the regeneration have generated a certain amount of controversy, mostly from local residents and businesses centered on the new Shopping facilities. It is feared it will destroy jobs and nearby businesses will suffer. ^[13]

[edit] Location Grid

	North: Carfin
West: Motherwell	Ravenscraig	East: Coltness
	South: Netherton/Muirhouse

[edit] External links

• North Lanarkshire Council

[edit] References