Ravenscraig college work starts

The new college is due for completion in summer 2009

Work has started on a new state-of-the-art college campus on the site of the former Ravenscraig steelworks.

A special ceremony on Friday marked the cutting of the first turf at the new Motherwell College development.

It will form part of a £1.2bn transformation of the 1,100 acre site in North Lanarkshire.

Phase one of the regeneration project will also see 800 new homes built and a £29m regional sports facility.

The college will cost £70m with the money coming from the Scottish Funding Council and the college's resources.

The new campus will replace the existing site at Dalzell Drive in Motherwell and is due for completion by summer 2009.

Motherwell College is at the heart of the community and we are part of the regeneration of that community Ian Watson Motherwell College chairman

It will include a five-storey teaching block, a residential building for up to 50 students and a workshop block for engineering students.

The residential building has been created in a cylindrical design to reflect the former Ravenscraig steelworks structure and a plaza in the centre will provide space for students to meet.

A pedestrian link will connect the buildings.

College chairman Ian Watson said: "The new college at Ravenscraig will have the most modern of facilities and will provide the best quality of education in Lanarkshire.

"Motherwell College is at the heart of the community and we are part of the regeneration of that community."

The further education institution currently attracts 20,000 students a year from more than 40 countries.

The Ravenscraig towers were demolished in 1996

It is among a number of universities and colleges across Scotland that recently benefited from an extra £100m funding package from the Scottish Government.

Students can opt for courses including sport, social sciences, engineering and beauty therapy.

Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Jack McConnell attended the turf cutting ceremony.

He said: "This event is very significant as it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Motherwell College.

"It will be a fantastic facility providing students and staff with better learning facilities."

Local MP Frank Roy was a steelworker at Ravenscraig from 1977 to 1991.

He said: "After many years of preparation by so many people, I'm delighted that the building of the new Motherwell College has begun.

"This is a proud day for the community."

Ravenscraig Steel Works closed in 1992.