Construction work on a £23m road upgrade in East Renfrewshire has begun, with the road now closed until the end of the year.
The £22.68m project aims to transform Aurs Road between Barrhead and Newton Mearns. It is led by East Renfrewshire Council and funded with £12.72m from the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
The rest of the funding is provided by Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, the Scottish Government’s Bridge Fund and developer contributions from new house building projects in the area.
The start of the works was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony last week.
East Renfrewshire Council leader Owen O'Donnell met civil engineering experts GRAHAM who have been appointed to carry out the works and funding partners Sustrans.
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Planned improvements will transform the road from a winding, single carriage road to a straighter road with a new active travel route and 'stunning waterside promenade overlooking Balgray Reservoir'.
Mr O'Donnell said: ‘Since announcing our plans for transforming Aurs Road, we’ve had a fantastic response from residents who are excited about the delivery of a much needed improved and straightened road with active travel link.’
GRAHAM contracts manager Jim Armour said: ‘This is a project our team is proud to be delivering, and we recognise the importance it will have for residents and users. We look forward to working collaboratively with East Renfrewshire Council, stakeholders and the local community throughout this scheme – leaving a lasting legacy.’
Karen McGregor, Scotland director for Sustrans, said: 'Improving active travel links between communities outside of our cities is vital. This project does exactly that by delivering an accessible and direct walking, wheeling and cycling link between Barrhead and Newton Mearns for residents and visitors alike.’
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Once complete, the planned improvements will:
- form a more direct local route between Barrhead and Newton Mearns by straightening out two sections of the road and replacing a weak road bridge
- create a waterside promenade with views overlooking Balgray Reservoir as part of a 2km active travel path connecting Barrhead and Newton Mearns to and through Dams to Darnley Country Park and providing a link for walking, wheeling and cycling
- create a long-awaited 4km circular walking and cycling route around Balgray Reservoir for park visitors for the first time
- pave the way for new visitor facilities at Dams to Darnley Country Park.
Aurs Road is now closed until December 2024 from the junction of Springfield Road in Barrhead to the junction of Stewarton Road in Newton Mearns and reservoir maintenance works will be carried out on behalf of Scottish Water in the meantime.
