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.

As part of East Ayrshire’s extensive £6m road resurfacing programme, the A735 Lugton Road, Dunlop was due to benefit from resurfacing works.

These works had to be postponed due to the suspected presence of coal tar. Road cores samples were taken and sent for analysis. The test results from our consultant confirm that coal tar materials are present within the lower base course layer.

The recent excavation works have not disturbed this material layer and the Alliance can now continue with the original project design.

Works will therefore recommence on Tuesday 25 September and will be completed on Friday 28 September, subject to weather conditions.

It will be necessary to close this road and prohibit on street parking for the duration of the works.

Local vehicle access to properties within the affected area will be restricted when works are in progress. It would be appreciated if local vehicle journeys within site limits are avoided, this will allow ongoing works to proceed as quickly as possible.

Access for Emergency Vehicle will be maintained at all times.

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

East Ayrshire’s extensive £6m road resurfacing programme is continuing at pace.

The Roads Maintenance Unit Section in the Ayrshire Roads Alliance has designed a road resurfacing programme covering 60km of local roads which will ensure that resurfacing work focuses on the roads most affected by defects, potholes and surface fragmentation.

Teams will be resurfacing substantial stretches of road; moving away from temporary repairs on isolated patches and potholes.

On Monday 10 September, the team will move to Fenwick where 3800 metres will be resurfaced from the A77 at Fenwick to the C117.

On Monday 17 September, they will move to the B751 where 450 metres of road will be resurfaced between Crosshouse and Knockentiber.

On Tuesday 25 September, the team will be resurfacing various sections of the C33 Moscow Road; 3000 metres of road will be resurfaced in total.

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

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance will be working closely with the local communities of Dundonald and Loans, on behalf of South Ayrshire Council, to develop safe, direct and convenient shared use path links between Dundonald and Barassie and Loans and Troon railway station.

In Dundonald, the Alliance held a public consultation last year on three potential path options, a new route running adjacent to the A759; a route remote from the A759 following Gailes Burn/ the railway line and an upgrade of the Smugglers’ Trail.

Following an extensive and detailed option appraisal, which took consideration of many concerns including available funding from Sustrans and value for money for the Council, a decision was taken that the most appropriate design solution would be for a new route to run adjacent to the A759.

The Alliance will now be pressing ahead with a detailed design for the new route and further community engagement will take place in the coming months.

In Loans, the Alliance will shortly be contacting the local community and local elected members regarding the feasibility of a shared use path link to Troon railway station.

Following local consultation, the Alliance will progress to the detailed design stage for part of the route (from Troon railway station to the underpass beneath A759/ Dundonald Road) and will pursue funding for construction to start next year.

Feasibility studies will also be undertaken for the next part of the route, running from the underpass to Loans, with the detailed design and construction stages taking place in consecutive years.

Community engagement will continue throughout this process with Loans and Troon Community Councils, South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for Sustainability and the Environment and local elected members.

Councillor Ian Cochrane, Sustainability and the Environment Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “I’m really pleased these projects are progressing and engagement with the local communities is continuing. These shared paths will not only encourage active travel which improves health and wellbeing but they will also play a part in reducing South Ayrshire’s carbon footprint.”

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 will commence 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 road closure of the A70 at Glenbuck 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.