B717
B717 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | West Tarbrax (NS866585) | |||
To: | Harthill (NS896642) | |||
Distance: | 4.4 miles (7.1 km) | |||
Meets: | A71, B7010, B7057, B7066 | |||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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The B717 is a short link road near Shotts in north Lanarkshire.
The route starts on the A71 dual carriageway near West Tarbrax Farm and heads northeastwards across the fields to reach Stane. There are a few properties, including a farm and contractors yard along the route before the edge of the village is reached. It enters as Burnbrae Road,m and almost immediately turns northwards, meeting the B7010 at a T Junction. The route continues along Station Road, and remains urban, albeit with a large area of parkland on the right. This is the site of the former ironworks, a few remains of which can be seen ahead as the route drops down to a roundabout. Turning left here leads into the centre of Shotts, centred on the Dykehead district, but the B717 forks right, passing the prominent chimney as it climbs up Benhar Road. Since the closure of the ironworks there has been massive redevelopment along here, and the old buildings have largely been replaced with parkland, while one of the old railway lines has completely gone. The other is the Shotts Line, which is crossed over on a new bridge, replacing a narrow one controlled by traffic lights.
Soon the last houses are passed and the route stretches out across rough moorland. A prominent bing stands to the left, while to the right a forestry plantation covers the moor. This route is wide and straight as it rises and falls over the long undulations of the moor. A left turn leads back into the centre of Shotts, and shortly after the route TOTSOs right, with the road ahead (the B7057) signposted to the M8 at Shotts Interchange for Glasgow and Edinburgh. The B717, meanwhile, heads northeast across the fields into Eastfield near Harthill, initially hemmed in by hedges and suddenly feeling much narrower. After a couple of bends, however, it opens out ahead on a long undulating straight which, after a right kink, is followed by another. Eastfield is entered on West Benhar Road, but before long the road splits, with the left turn going along Church Street whereas the road ahead (the original route of the B717) continues along Old Eastfield Street. Both end at mini roundabouts on the B7066 (former A8). This spur is a relatively recent addition to the route.
B717 | ||
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