East Ayrshire Council has awarded RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd. a contract to carry out a major road realignment on the A70 at Glenbuck near the East Ayrshire/South Lanarkshire boundary. The Works involve some 800m of road realignment and replacement of the bridge carrying the road over the River Ayr.

Works commenced on 30 July 2018 and are expected to be completed in May 2019.

Traffic management will be in place during the works and delays are possible. A recent road closure at Glenbuck has allowed the River Ayr culvert to be replaced and a further road closure will also be required to facilitate final carriageway surfacing work towards the end of the contract. Further information will be provided in advance of this closure which will have a signed diversion route.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance thank you for your consideration and patience whilst these road improvement works are undertaken.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance on behalf of South Ayrshire Council, will carry out essential resurfacing works on the A714 as part of the A714 Road Improvement Plan.

Due to the prolonged and inclement winter period, sections of the A714 have deteriorated. To address this, The Ayrshire Roads Alliance has accelerated planned construction of major road maintenance schemes on the A714.

Our proposed works will address approximately 35,000m² of defective carriageway. The project is being match funded, with the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS) funding 50% of the cost and Ayrshire Roads Alliance funding the other 50%

We have been working closely with the local communities, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Police Scotland and other key stakeholders to carefully schedule these projects, for minimal disruption

Due to the limited available road width of the A714 at these locations (By Kildonan, By Sixpence, By Pinmore, By Pinmacher, By Pinminnoch and By Glendrissaig), it will be necessary to close this road to ensure the safety of our workers and the travelling public. Diversion routes are significant and Motorists are advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journey

In order to carry out these operations it will be necessary to close this road and prohibit on street parking from 09.30 to 15.30 Dailly. Access for Emergency Vehicle will be maintained at all times.

These works will be phased into two sections with diversion routes to help minimise the disruption to the general public.

Phase 1 (By Kildonan and By Sixpence)

Works with an estimated cost of £250k compromise the resurfacing of approximately 2.5km of carriageway

Programmed to commence on Monday 15th October 2018 for approximately 15 days

Phase 1 diversion

Southbound Diversion – A714 closed North of Barrhill (divert via A714, A75, A77, B743)

Northbound Diversion – A714 closed at Pinwherry (divert via B734, A77, A75,A714)

Phase 2 (by Pinmore, by Pinmacher, by Pinminnoch and by Glendrissaig)

Works with an estimated cost of £500k compromise the resurfacing of approximately 4km of carriageway

Programmed to commence on Monday 5th November 2018 for approximately 28 days

Phase 2 diversion

Southbound Diversion – A714 closed at Shallochpark Roundabout (divert via A77, B734, A714)

Northbound Diversion – A714 closed after Pinwherry (divert via B734, A77, A75,A714)

This concentrated programme of improvements for the A714 is being scheduled by Ayrshire Roads Alliance will deliver long-term benefits to commuters, local communities and businesses across South West Scotland on behalf of South Ayrshire Council and wider travelling public.

The Alliance thanks you for your consideration and patience while these essential works are undertaken.

Work is now almost complete at the Leggate in New Cumnock, a key part of the extensive £4.7m Flood Protection Scheme planned for the area.

Contractor Barhale Construction PLC, who were appointed to construct phase one of the flood prevention works, have been on site since April. The works have been extensive and a major part of the project involved the diversion of a major high-pressure water main by contractor Innovative Utilities (UK) Ltd.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: “The flood prevention works are now in place and protecting properties in the immediate vicinity of the Connel Burn from future flooding.

“The works have been a combination of engineering measures, earth embankments and reinforced concrete walls that have been specially designed to contain any floodwaters within the Connel Burn. Our contractors have also re-profiled the ground and the existing burn bank to allow excess waters to be redirected downstream of the Connel Burn Bridge and away from any properties.

“Now this phase of work is substantially completed the Roads Maintenance Unit will begin to adjust the profile of the B741 carriageway to complement the works.

“I would like to thank the local community for their support and their patience throughout these works. The flooding that they experienced in the past was devastating and we are committed to ensuring that homes are protected and safe by developing an extensive flood prevention scheme.”

It is anticipated that phase two of the works, which will see flood prevention measures being installed along both banks of the Afton Water, New Cumnock protecting homes on either side of the river, will start in April 2019. A major gas main will be diverted before phase two begins.

Discussions are ongoing with the Statutory Undertakers and also with local landowners to ensure that all necessary service diversions and access permissions are agreed to allow construction work to go ahead as soon as is possible.