Commuters and drivers are reminded that the B714 is to temporarily close from Monday, 27 July.
Motorists should follow the signed diversion via the B780, which will add approximately 3.6 miles and around seven minutes to the standard journey time.
Contractors Wills Bros have made significant progress with the first phase of this transformational £34.7 million programme to improve North Ayrshire’s road network.
The B714 closure is necessary to allow the essential engineering and alignment works to proceed safely. It is currently anticipated that this closure may last up to 14 months.
The B714 upgrade will bring massive long-term benefits by improving road safety, cutting future journey times, and creating a much more reliable route. We understand that the road closure will cause inconvenience to commuters and local people, and we are sorry for the disruption this may bring to daily journeys. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during the course of closure.”
Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
The B714 links the trunk road network from the A78 Sharphill roundabout at the Three Towns bypass to the A737, south of Dalry.
The £34.7 million upgrade of the route is jointly funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and North Ayrshire Council. The first phase focuses on upgrading a 3.5km section between Girthill Farm and a new roundabout on Kilwinning Road, introducing a new 500m westbound overtaking lane, localized road realignments, and key environmental improvements.
Once complete, the upgraded route will strengthen strategic links with Glasgow and the wider central belt, driving local economic growth and improving access to jobs for communities across North Ayrshire.
The total cost for Phase 1 is £34.7 million, with £23.7 million secured through the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and the remainder funded by North Ayrshire Council.
Construction is being delivered by Wills Bros and is expected to reach overall completion by winter 2027.