East Renfrewshire Council has awarded GRAHAM a contract to deliver a £23m road upgrade.
Beginning in January, the upgrade will transform Aurs Road between Barrhead and Newton Mearns from a winding, single carriage route to a safer, straighter road with a new active travel section and 'stunning waterside promenade' overlooking Balgray Reservoir.
To facilitate the work, the road will be closed from the junction of Springfield Road in Barrhead to the junction of Stewarton Road in Newton Mearns until December, with diversion routes in place.
The £22.68m project is being funded through £12.72m from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which is made up of £5.5m from both the UK and Scottish governments and £1.72m from the council.
The remaining funding is provided by Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, as well as the Scottish Government’s Bridge Fund and developer contributions from new housebuilding projects in the area.
GRAHAM contracts manager Jim Armour said: ‘With works set to start on 8 January, the project team will be working hard to ensure the site is ready for the main build phase – we’re looking forward to playing our part in this pivotal project and leaving a lasting legacy.'
Council leader Owen O'Donnell said: ‘The delivery of a much-improved and straightened road with active travel link - improving connections between Barrhead and Newton Mearns is fantastic news for our communities. I am excited to see work on the promenade and circular loop around Balgray Reservoir progress, making Dams to Darnley Country Park a more accessible and desirable location to go for a walk or cycle.’
GRAHAM said the scheme will:
- form a safer, more direct local route between Barrhead and Newton Mearns by straightening out two sections of the road and replacing a weak road bridge
- create an impressive 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 safe 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
Essential reservoir maintenance works will also be carried out on behalf of Scottish Water while the road closure is in place.
