South Ayrshire to seek A77 partnership with Dumfries and Galloway

South Ayrshire Council will seek to work with Dumfries and Galloway to force movement on the ‘not fit for purpose’ A77.

The council’s cabinet agreed to move to gather evidence for the need to upgrade the A77.

Transport Scotland has indicated that there are improvements to be made on the road, but haven’t provided any specific programme or funding.

Councillors have agreed to compile the need for improvements using the Scottish Transport Assessment Guidance model.

Councillor Bob Pollock said that is was a ‘national disgrace’ that the road had not been upgraded.

He said: “There is excellent ongoing working arrangement with Dumfries and Galloway Council. My preferred option, if Dumfries and Galloway wished to do so, is for a joint STAG on A77 and A75.

“Everyone recognises the strategic importance of both roads to us. Although that is what we are primarily looking at here. there is also a social cost and personal cost.

“There have been a number of fatalities along the A77, we are all aware of these over the years.”

Cllr Pollock added that he wanted to see a taskforce, similar to that set up to address the issues on the A9 and A83.

“It seems we are being left out in the south west. Look at the emphasis a national level on both of these roads. The A75 and A77 need to get the same consideration.”

Dumfries and Galloway Councillor Willie Scobie says: "Once we get Mid and East Antrim Borough Coucnil on board, it'll be from the three local authorities - both from this side of the water and across in Northern Ireland - and it's all about lobbying both the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly."

He believes both councils can gain from this: "We've already produced a report on the economic impact duelling both roads could bring. And this is something in the regional £15 million of benefits to the region and I would assume it would be the same for South Ayrshire."

Council Leader Martin Dowey said that he had written to the First Minister and Depute First Minister of Northern Ireland, suggesting the potential for investment along the important routes.

He said: “I know the A75 is not fit for purpose, but when compared to the A77 it is a million times better.

“When you get south of Ayr the A77 is not fit for purpose. Even on the bypass on the roundabouts you can see the tar is starting to move. It needs investment now.”

Girvan Councillor Alec Clark said: “The only investment we have really had in the A77 of any significance, has been the Maybole bypass.

“Even there it pales into insignificance to the investment there has been in other parts of Scotland. We seem to be the forgotten corner right enough.”

He said that the companies who are considering investing £500m in a green port will not do so if there is no investment in the roads.

“The more we can lobby and the more we can get some action and involve other councils, involve Northern Ireland to take things forward, the sooner, the better. If we don’t we are going to see a downgrade of that ferry port.”

Cllr Dowey agreed, saying: “You come off a brand new ferry and go on to a dirt track up the road. Apart from everything else it is dangerous.”

Independent Councillor Bob Shields asked whether the development of the STAG, which is due to take 12 months to compile, could be speeded up.

David Mason, of Ayrshire Roads Alliance, said the STAG was a ‘substantial piece of work’ which requires officers to gather evidence to present to the Scottish Government, including engagement with communities, businesses and stakeholders as.

He added: “This report would put weight behind the claims we have been making as a council for years.”

A spokesperson from the Scottish Government says: "The strategic importance of both the A75 and A77 to Scotland’s economy is recognised by this government, and we value the critical link they provide to the wider markets in the rest of the UK and Europe by connecting the ports at Cairnryan to the wider trunk road network.

"Recommendation 40 in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review places equal importance on both the A75 and the A77 to Scotland and its economy. As with the A75, it identifies a series of targeted infrastructure improvements on the A77 for the next 20 years.

"Since 2007 we have completed five major improvements on the A77, including most recently the £29 million Maybole Bypass which opened in January 2022. This is in addition to over £124 million which has been invested on the A77 to ensure its safe and efficient operation.”

The report was approved by the cabinet.