This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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A77 improvement scheme
19/07/2004
Proposals to upgrade a section of the A77 to reduce
congestion and improve road safety are to go on show to the
public.
The plans for the 7.3 kilometre stretch between
Spittalhill and Dutch House Roundabout are in two phases
and involve the construction of two new bridges across the
road for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Access roads and gaps in the central reservation will be
closed and new link roads built, so that vehicles can join
the carriageway more safely.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"Improvements to the A77 are needed to reduce the toll
of serious accidents on the road and are central to our
plans for better transport in the south west of Scotland.
That is why we are backing schemes to upgrade the road and
recently established the A77 Safety Group.
"The Spittalhill to Dutch House Roundabout section is
especially important as it is used by traffic to and from
Prestwick Airport. As the airport expands, there will be
more cars on the road and so we need to take action now to
avoid further congestion.
"This public exhibition will allow people in South
Ayrshire to have their say about the design of this
scheme."
The Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andy
Hill said:
"I am delighted that progress is being made on these
proposals for improvements to the A77.
"The stretch of the road which includes the two
Symington junctions and also Bogend Toll certainly requires
improvement and upgrading, and the exhibition will ensure
that members of the public can express their opinions about
the revised design which follows extensive traffic
surveys.
"As a member of the A77 Safety Group I am wholly
supportive of any action which enables or encourages safer
driving on the road."
The public exhibition is being held in Symington Primary
School. It will take place on Friday July 23, from 1-7pm
and on Saturday July 24, from 10am-4pm.
Phase 1 includes a new bridge to be built at Bogend
Toll, to carry the B730 Dundonald - Tarbolton Road traffic
across the carriageway. Phase 2 also includes a bridge at
Symington South Junction.
Work on the £6 million scheme is due to begin in early
2006. The Scottish Executive is investing over £100 million
in road improvements on the A77.
The Scottish Executive announced plans for a junction
improvement scheme at Symington Roundabout in 2000. A
public exhibition was held in July 2001 at which concern
was expressed about the design. Further traffic surveys
were therefore undertaken leading to the revised
design.
The public exhibition is being organised by South
Ayrshire Council on behalf of the Scottish Executive.
The A77 Safety Group includes the Scottish Executive,
Strathclyde and Dumfries and Galloway police forces, South
Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway councils, roads
maintenance company Amey Highways and Westsound FM. It will
promote and enforce safer driving on the road, and consider
the need for further road safety works.