Unofficial Cycle Routes - Uddingston to Strathclyde Park & Motherwell

This route connects the Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 75 in Uddingston to Strathclyde Park and Motherwell, mainly using minor roads and paths, and, as far as Strathclyde Park, will itself become part of National Cycle Network Route 74. The route does encounter one location where it is necessary to cross busy roads, on entering Strathclyde Park, where there are pedestrian crossing signals. This route connects with the unofficial cycle routes from Strathclyde Park to Coatbridge, East Kilbride and Bellshill, and shares part of its route with that from Uddingston to Chatelherault and Blantyre.

Starting on the Sustrans route from Glasgow, near Uddingston railway station, cross the Toucan Crossing across Main Street and head east along the cycle route on a path that follows the railway line for a short while. The path then joins Mansfield Drive, from where the signposted cycle route turns left into North British Road to head for Tannochside and Coatbridge. To get to Strathclyde Park or Motherwell, leave this cycle route by heading straight on across North British Road at the junction, onto a path that goes down the right hand side of a new housing development.

On reaching the end of the path cross Bellshill Road and continue straight on along Wilkie Road. At the end, continue straight on onto another path. At the end of this continue straight on along Knockburnie Road. At the end of this road go straight on onto another path, but turn right immediately into Appledore Crescent. Follow this road round to the left, and continue straight on across the Fallside Road mini-roundabout into Olifard Avenue.

At the end of Olifard Avenue, continue straight on through a line of bollards and turn left onto what looks like a path, but is in fact a minor road, The Glebe. Immediately turn right, doubling back, onto Bothwellpark Road. Take the first left into Laighlands Road, and then left at the end into the foot of Langside Road.

All that remains to get to Strathclyde Park, entering via the northern entrance, is to negotiate the M74 motorway junction. Obviously the roads authorities in this area don’t want people to cycle here because there are absolutely no facilities that can be used both legally and reasonably safely by cyclists. Contact North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Councils regarding this. Turn left onto the footway of the A725 at the foot of Langside Road and follow it on the left hand side approaching the traffic signals at the motorway junction roundabout. Cross the pedestrian crossings across to the centre of the roundabout, then back to the outside of the roundabout, under the motorway bridge, then across a motorway slip road, rejoining the carriageway once past the roundabout and onto the road into Strathclyde Park.

Once in the park you can go either way around Strathclyde Loch, but watch out for the Road Train that runs on the path around the loch between the Watersports Centre and Café at the Hamilton side of the park and the funfair on the Bellshill side of the park.

To continue to Motherwell, stick to the road through the park, passing the funfair, the Bothwellhaugh Road roundabout and the Roman Fort car park, then turn left onto a path, signposted as a walking route to North Motherwell, and then immediately turn right. Continue on to the end of this path at the junction of Logans Road and Machrie Street. Turn left onto Logans Road, then second right into The Loaning. Take the fifth left, Ladywell Road and go right to the top, following it right into Farm Street. This merges with High Road, and one last left turn takes you to Motherwell town centre and station.

When returning from Motherwell, either walk to High Road, or take the busy Hamilton Road and turn right into Orchard Road, because there is a banned right turn into High Road.