A new train station beside Ayr Hospital, reopening of a railway service between Ayr and Cumnock and a new ferry route from Troon to Arran could be on the way. 

These are just three of more than 100 options being considered by Transport Scotland to modernise roads and railways in the area over the next 20 years.  

The national agency is looking at building a dual carriageway section between Holmston and Whitletts roundabouts and putting in bus lanes on the A77.

Other ideas include turning the old Ayr to Girvan rail line into a cycle path and building a new route for cyclists between Ayr and Dumfries House. 

Monktonhead, Dutch House and Whitletts roundabouts could be improved to boost capacity to cope with traffic levels. 

Transport Scotland is carrying out a strategic review nationally to decide on investment up to 2042.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance has given feedback on the strategy as part of consultations. 

A total of 138 transport options have been drawn up for Ayrshire and they will be further appraised before final decisions are made on what money will be spent on. A number of options have been scrapped after consideration. 

A major focus is to encourage people to use more public transport and cycle to tackle climate change and improve health. Boosting the economy is also a driver. 

An update on the Transport Scotland plan was presented to ruling SNP and Labour councillors sitting on the South Ayrshire Council Leadership Panel last week.

Council leader Peter Henderson, SNP, said: “It is about moving people away from driving. We need to encourage people to cycle more.”

A further report will go to councillors in October. 

Some of the options being considered for Ayrshire over the next 20 years through the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2:

  • Introduce bus priority lanes on the A77/M77 into Glasgow.
  • Extend rail electrification from Ayr to Girvan.
  • Electrification of the railway between Ayr and Stranraer.
  • Reopen Ayr and Dalmellington rail link, including the introduction of steam trains to support tourism. 
  • Reopen old Cumnock, Ochiltree, Drongan, Annbank, Ayr railway.
  • New rail station for Cumnock, Pinwherry, and Ayr South (adjacent to hospital).
  • Introduce new ferry route between Troon and Arran.
  • Ayr Station restoration and redevelopment.
  • Development of new cycling route from Dumfries House to Ayr.
  • Development of the old Ayr to Girvan rail line for cycling.
  • Segregated cycle routes on ‘key roads’ across the region