Published: Friday, 2nd January, 2009 10:30am

Commuters Get Carrick Boost

by Roisin McGroarty

But MSP calls for more safety work

CARRICK commuters are breathing a sign of relief as major road works on the A77 finish months ahead of schedule.

The vital road improvements at Glen App and Haggstone have been completed a full three months early.

The construction of a mile of new carriageway and road widening, which will make it much easier to safely overtake, is part of a £27million upgrade investment.

Local MSP John Scott welcomed the news but called for every effort to be made to push forward with other safety works scheduled for the Carrick section of the A77.

He said: "The fact that the Glen App and Haggstone schemes have been completed three months ahead of schedule is certainly good news and should help improve road safety and travel times on this busy section of the A77.

"However what we need to see is progress being made on the remaining improvement projects currently proposed in Transport Scotland's works programme, including realignment work between Dowhill and Chapeldonan, widening of the carriageway between Park End and Bennane and the provision of a dedicated northbound overtaking lane between Ardwell and Slockenray, all of which are needed to further improve safety on the A77.

"We also need clarity at the earliest time possible of what extra road improvements to the A77 are to be advanced under the new Strategic Transport Review, which recognises a need for further enhancements to the A77 south of Ayr but gives no specific detail of the projects being considered."

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