Infobox UK place
official_name= Ravenscraig
gaelic_name=
scots_name=
local_name=
country= Scotland
population= 0
population_density_/sq_mi=0
os_grid_reference= NS756563
edinburgh_distance_mi=41
london_distance_mi=393
latitude= 55.792017
longitude= -3.967524
post_town= MOTHERWELL
postcode_area= ML
postcode_district= ML1-ML2 (part)
dial_code= 01698
constituency_westminster= Motherwell and Wishaw
unitary_scotland= North Lanarkshire Council
lieutenancy_scotland= Motherwell
constituency_scottish_parliament= Motherwell and Wishaw
constituency_scottish_parliament1= Central Scotland
website= [http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/]
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.
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.
History
A major expansion of Colvilles, the largest steel manufacturer in the United Kingdom before World War II, [ [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/steelworks/Colville%27s.htm The Company and Its Allied Concerns - Colville's Magazine, 1920] ] was approved in July 1954 by the Iron and Steel Board.[Campbell, R. H. (1958). "Iron and Steel". Chapter 5, In: Cunnison, J. and Gilfillan, J. B. S. (Editors) (1958). "The Third Statistical Account of Scotland", Volume V, "The City of Glasgow". Glasgow: William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.] ]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. [ [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/steelworks/Steelworks%20Ravenscraig.htm Ravenscraig Steel Works History 1954 - 1992] ]
The closure of Ravenscraig in 1993 signalled the end of large scale steel making in Scotland;[Stratton, Michael and Trinder, Barry (2000). "Twentieth Century Industrial Archaelogy". London: E & FN Spon. ISBN 0-419-24680-0.] and was the cause of a loss of 770 jobs, and another 10,000 job losses directly and indirectly linked. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5037/is_199005/ai_n18315273 Still time for a new strategy. (closing of British Steel's Ravenscraig, Scotland steel plant)] ] ] 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. [ [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=ravenscraig,+motherwell&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=12.497202,29.619141&ie=UTF8&ll=55.791438,-3.94495&spn=0.023403,0.05785&z=14&om=1 Google Maps] ] [ [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2000/01/9cc8e10e-0b9b-4ba2-a157-0100a809870d Scottish Government - (Henry McLeish backs plans for Ravenscraig Regeneration)] ] [ [http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/index.asp Ravenscraig.co.uk Homepage] ]
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:
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.'. [ [http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/natural-heritage.asp - Ravenscraig - Natural Heritage] ]
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. [ [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/10/30121839 Scottish Government - (£29m for Ravenscraig sports complex)] ]
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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3363471.stm BBC News - Controversy over steelworks plan] ]
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. [ [http://www.ravenscraig.co.uk/ Ravenscraig.co.uk] ] .
Motherwell FC
The local Scottish Premier League football team, Motherwell Football Club is one of possible the purchasers of the site for a new stadium, leaving behind their home of 113 years, Fir Park. Motherwell Chairman, John Boyle states "No decisions have been taken and we are simply exploring realistic options at this stage." [ [http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/news/Well-in-talks-for-Ravenscraig.3820872.jp Motherwell Times] ]
Location Grid
External links
* [http://www.northlan.gov.uk/ North Lanarkshire Council]
References
ee also
*List of places in North Lanarkshire
