The programme has helped unlock 135,000 sqms of new business space, bringing new employers to the local area and generating around £3.6m a year in additional business rates. That income is being used to repay the borrowing costs of the investment, with projections showing there will be enough additional business rates to cover all borrowing for Phase 1 projects in full.

Councillors will consider an update report on the TIF programme at a meeting of the Executive on Thursday 6 November 2025. The report notes progress made to date, outlines the strong financial position of the programme, and asks members to consider the approach to funding Phase 2 projects, in particular the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.

The report also provides an update on improvements to the A801 Avon Gorge route. 

The Falkirk TIF programme is a 25-year investment plan designed to help increase development, attract new business and create jobs in the local area.

It works by allowing the council to borrow money to build infrastructure that supports commercial development, such as new roads, junctions and site improvements. Those developments then generate additional business rates, which are used to repay the borrowing. This means the projects are delivering benefits to local residents at no cost.

The TIF fund is separate from other council budgets. It is ring-fenced and cannot be used for day-to-day services or other capital projects. No Council Tax is used to fund TIF.

Since 2013, the TIF programme has delivered major improvements along the A9 corridor including upgrades at: 

• M9 Junction 5 (Cadger’s Brae roundabout)  
• M9 Junction 6 (Earlsgate roundabout)
• Grandsable Road junction.

It has also delivered a new electric vehicle charging hub at Falkirk Stadium. 

Work is well underway on the A9/A904 Improvement Project, the largest single investment within the programme.

The scheme includes a new Gateway roundabout, a link road connecting Alexander Avenue to the A9, dualling of sections of the A9 and A904 and upgraded cycle and footpaths to support active travel between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

The project is also unlocking major development opportunities at the Falkirk Gateway and Falkirk Stadium sites, supporting economic growth and investment in the area. It is due for completion in early 2027.

The next scheme, Icehouse Brae, is due to start in 2026 and will create a more direct link for freight vehicles between industrial sites and the strategic road network. This will ease congestion around Westfield and improve connections for businesses. 

Malcolm Bennie, Falkirk Council’s director of place services, said: “This unique programme is unlocking development, creating jobs and improving the roads and active travel links our communities use every day. And best of all it is at no expense to our local residents.

“It is now for councillors to decide if future income should be used to continue progress on the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme and Avon Gorge. It is important to make the point that any future TIF contribution would only proceed where the financial business case supported it so there was no financial risk to the council.”