Roadworks in East and South Ayrshire

Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA), on behalf of East and South Ayrshire Councils, co-ordinates road works carried out by utility companies such as BT, Scottish Gas Networks, Scottish Power Energy Networks, Scottish Water and Virgin Media.

Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA), these organisations have statutory powers to work on public roads, footways and verges.

Our role is to co-ordinate road works to:

• Maintain public safety
• Minimise disruption to road users, particularly people with disabilities
• Protect the structure of the road and underground apparatus

Road works are recorded on the Scottish Road Works Register (SRWR), which supports planning, performance monitoring and public access to information.

Emergency works (where there is an existing or imminent danger to persons or property) must be recorded within two hours of starting on site.

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Road restrictions, inspection of completed works and compliance

When carriageways and footways are resurfaced, we apply a NRSWA Section 117 Road Restriction Notice. These notices enforce restriction periods (three years for carriageways and one year for footways) preventing anyone from carrying out planned roadworks. However, some exceptions apply, including emergency works and new service connections. Guarantee periods are also placed on completion of works to protect the new surface:

In 2025/26 a total of 221 road restriction notices were issued, comprising of 135 in East Ayrshire and 86 in South Ayrshire.

Inspection

We carry out sample site inspections each year to ensure that road works meet safety and reinstatement standards in compliance with the NRSWA Safety at Street Works and Road Works Code of Practice and the NRSWA Specification of Reinstatement of Openings in Roads (SROR).

In 2025/26 the Ayrshire Roads Alliance carried out over 1000 sample inspections across East and South Ayrshire:

Compliance

Where road works fail inspection, the utility company or contractor that carried out the works must complete remedial works. In these instances, the guarantee period may restart.

Contact Information 

Phone: 01563 503 160

E-mail: enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org

Address:  Ayrshire Roads Alliance, Opera House, 8 John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DD