This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Public transport in Ayrshire
08/12/2003
A range of measures to improve public transport and address local transport concerns in South Ayrshire were announced today by Transport Minister Nicol Stephen during a visit to the area.
They included:
A major upgrading of Whitletts roundabout at an estimated £2.5 million.
Funding an initial study to look at the option of a Maybole bypass on the A77 trunk road.
Opening at Girvan the first in a series of new road and rail interchanges in South Ayrshire to provide a one-stop shop for journeys by train, bus, car, cycle, car or taxi.
Launching the 'Carrick Connector' bus service which is a new door-to-door dial-a-bus bus initiative serving people in rural areas around Girvan.
The Minister said:
"These measures will help to address local transport concerns and improve public transport in South Ayrshire.
"Work will begin on the Whitletts roundabout next Autumn and should be finished by early 2005. T he project will significantly increase the capacity of the roundabout, cutting congestion and helping to boost the Ayrshire economy.
"I am confident that the new study into the option of a Maybole bypass will be particularly welcomed. The community of Maybole has long been frustrated by the congestion, noise, pollution and road safety issues affecting the village.
"In order to respond to these concerns, the Executive will fund an initial study to investigate upgrade opportunities on the A77 trunk road and the case for a Maybole bypass. More needs to be done to make Scotland's roads safer and protect the environment. In my view there is a strong case for action at Maybole."
He added:
"We are investing more than ever in creating new and improved transport links. The key to effective delivery is joint working between the Executive, local authorities and transport providers.
"The Girvan transport interchange is an excellent example of partnership working. It gives travellers far better access to public transport making complex journeys easier for the people of South Ayrshire.
"The new 'Carrick Connector' bus service is at the cutting edge of public transport delivery for rural areas. South Ayrshire Council and SPT, with funding from the Executive, have developed a door-to-door demand-responsive transport service to the people of Carrick. It will particularly benefit the elderly and disabled."
Mr Stephen was visiting Girvan to launch two public transport initiatives funded by the Executive's Public Transport Fund, and then Maybole where he met with local MSP Cathy Jamieson, the leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andrew Hill, and other councillors to discuss various local road safety issues.
Construction of the upgraded Whitletts roundabout is expected to begin in autumn 2004, subject to satisfactory completion of statutory procedures and resolution of any objections. The new roundabout will become a traffic light controlled roundabout. F unding will come from the Motorway and trunk Roads Programme.
The scheme will involve: the enlargement of the roundabout to accommodate current and predicted levels of traffic at the junction; signalisation of the roundabout and approach roads linked into the Ayr 'SCOOT' traffic management system to ensure optimum vehicular flows; and capacity upgrades to all approach roads, in particular the Holmston to Whitletts section of the A77, which will be reconfigured from its current layout of one lane in each direction, to two lanes northbound and one lane southbound from Overmills Bridge to Whitletts Roundabout.
The Executive will fund a Part 1 appraisal in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) to determine the problems and opportunities in relation to the A77 trunk road within Maybole.
Out of a total £2.710 million Public Transport Fund award announced in March 2001, South Ayrshire Council allocated £760,000 to create multi-modal interchanges located at railway stations in Troon, Prestwick, Girvan, Newton-on-Ayr and Barrhill.
Improvements have included new bus turning areas, car parking, bus shelters, cycle lockers, disabled access, CCTV cameras, improved lighting and new pedestrian access.
The 'Carrick Connector' bus service was funded from the Executive's Public Transport Fund at a cost of around £147,000 and it has been developed by South Ayrshire Council, in partnership with Strathclyde Passenger Transport.