Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking essential road safety junction improvements on the A77 in Ayr, at the Junctions of Doonholm Road and Corton Road.
Works commenced on Monday 25th November 2024 and are now scheduled to complete on Friday 18th April 2025 with a programme of overnight closures on the A77 required.
The updated programme is as follows:
Current 24/7 temporary traffic signals and closures of the Doonholm and Corton Junctions will remain in place until Friday 18th April 2025.
Traffic management will be in place on a continuous 24-hour basis and will require phased lane closures with two-way temporary traffic signals in place on the A77. This work will also require the closures of the Doonholm Road and Corton Road junctions with the A77. Doonholm Road traffic will be diverted via Bankfield Roundabout, the A713, Belmont Road, Ewenfield Road and the B7024. C39 Corton Road traffic will be diverted via Bankfield Roundabout and the A713. Patrons of The Coo Shed should follow this short, signed diversion for access.
Total overnight closures of the A77 trunk road at this location will be required from Tuesday 25th March until Friday 28th March 2025, between the hours of 8pm and 6am, each night. Road will re-open by 6am on Saturday 29th March 2025.
Further total overnight closures of the A77 trunk road at this location will be required from Sunday 13th April until Thursday 17th April 2025, between the hours of 8pm and 6am, each night. Road will re-open by 6am on Friday 18th April 2025.
Northbound traffic intending to travel on the A77 during the above dates will be diverted via the Maybole Bypass to join the B7023 westbound and will turn right onto the A719 northbound. Traffic will continue on this route to Ayr, where it will be directed to turn right onto the A70, Miller Road then will bear left on Station Road and right again to remain on the A70. At Station Bridge, traffic will turn left and at the roundabout will take the first exit. At the following roundabout, traffic will take the second exit to join Holmston Road and will be able to re-join the A77 at Holmston Roundabout.
Southbound traffic intending to travel on the A77 during the above dates will be diverted to exit the A77 via the Holmston Roundabout by taking the third exit onto the A70, Holmston Road and from here traffic will take the first exit at the roundabout. At the following roundabout, traffic will take the second exit to remain on the A70 over Station Bridge and onto Parkhouse Street then right onto Station Road. From here, traffic will turn left onto Miller Road and then left to join the A719 southbound for 11 miles. Finally, traffic will turn left onto the B7023 eastbound and will be able to re-join the A77 at Maybole Bypass.
A spokesperson for Amey, the company that maintains the south-west trunk road network on behalf of Transport Scotland, said:
"The A77 Doonholm road safety improvement scheme aims to introduce a new signalised junction and includes road widening, resurfacing, drainage, footway, signage, and lighting improvements at the Doonholm Road and Corton Road Junctions. There have been several road traffic incidents at this junction, with a significant number of these being classed as serious.
Since the commencement of the works, access to Corton Road and its businesses has been maintained at all times, either via the A77 when, for operational reasons, temporary traffic measures have been lifted (e.g. over the festive period) or through the signed diversion route. Traffic monitoring data has shown the additional time to The Coo Shed is reporting at between five to seven minutes via the diversion route, depending on overall traffic volumes.
Alternative traffic management solutions were considered, including a three-way traffic light system. However, these did not provide the required level of safety for road users and operatives, nor could they guarantee lower delays than those caused by the signed diversion routes. The traffic management operates on a continuous 24-hour basis, requiring phased lane closures with two-way temporary traffic signals in operation. As the works involve critical areas at the junction corners, the closure of Doonholm Road and Corton Road was considered necessary for the safety of road users and road operatives.
Extensive “Business as Usual” and “Coo Shed” signage was created and placed on the network in advance of the closure and has been increased and improved since the work began, in consultation with The Coo Shed. Business Pass access for HGV and other larger vehicles was proposed at the outset of the scheme, and this was not taken up, and there have been no reports of any vehicles having difficulty navigating the diversion. Regular HGV deliveries (milk tanker, food supplies, and animal feed) have continued via the A713 diversion route. We remain committed to assisting businesses with critical deliveries, where feasible.
When the improved signalised junction is in place, there will be new “Visit Scotland” style signage for The Coo Shed on the mainline of the A77, and the specifications and positioning of this signage has been discussed with The Coo Shed.
We encourage all stakeholders to monitor updates on our schemes via the SW Trunk Roads website (www.swtrunkroads.scot), @SWTrunkRoads social media channels, and Amey’s free Roadwork Alerts service.
Amey appreciates the patience and understanding of our stakeholders as we work to improve road safety in this area."
Access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout these works.