Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 6 December 2023 10:29
The route is set to be transformed - from a winding, single carriage road to a safer, straighter road with a new active travel route and stunning waterside promenade overlooking Balgray Reservoir.
To facilitate these significant improvements, the road will be closed for around 12 months until December 2024. Aurs Road will be closed from the junction of Springfield Road in Barrhead to the junction of Stewarton Road in Newton Mearns. Diversion routes will be in place via Stewarton Road, Nitshill Road and Darnley Road.
Led by East Renfrewshire Council, the ambitious £22.68 million project will be funded through £12.72 million from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, which is made up of £5.5 million in funding by both the UK and Scottish governments and £1.72 million from East Renfrewshire Council. The rest of the funding is provided by Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, the Scottish Government’s Bridge Fund and developer contributions from new house building projects in the area.
Once complete, the planned improvements to Aurs Road 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.
East Renfrewshire Council Leader, Owen O'Donnell said: “I’m delighted that work will be starting in January on the ambitious Aurs Road project. 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. While I appreciate that there will be some inconvenience caused by the road closure, the transformative impact of this project for generations to come will make the end result worthwhile.”
Contractor Graham Construction Ltd has been appointed to carry out the construction.
Jim Armour, GRAHAM Contracts Manager said: “We’re delighted to be appointed by East Renfrewshire Council to deliver the Aurs Road project. Our track record of successfully delivering civil engineering projects stands as testament to our commitment for the highest standards of work, professionalism, and technical expertise. We are proud to be East Renfrewshire Council delivery partner on this transformative project. With works set to start on the 8th 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”.
The Glasgow City Region City Deal is a £1.13 billion partnership between eight local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. It includes 27 projects, 21 of them major infrastructure schemes. These will drive economic growth across the City Region and create 15,000 construction jobs while work is underway and 29,000 jobs when work is finished.
As part of the £44 million Glasgow City Region City Deal investment in East Renfrewshire, new business premises and job opportunities have been created and plans are under way to build a new train station in Barrhead and enhance visitor facilities at Dams to Darnley Country Park.
For further information and updates: www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/city-deal-projects
A new training course has been lined up for aspiring swim teachers who want to dive into a new career, learn new skills and support the next generation of swimmers.
READ MORECelebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MOREThis June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORENominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MOREThe Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORENewly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORETo celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MOREPavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.
READ MOREBluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MOREThe Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MOREA festival for Glasgow's littlest revellers is launching this summer, and it's set to be a treat for the whole family!
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has announced the launch of a brand-new adult art class this month.
READ MORERockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MOREFirst Bus is making minor service updates to 33 routes across Glasgow from Sunday 20th April as its new AI-driven timetables continue to improve reliability for customers across the city.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council has launched a new 'Love Local' focused marketing campaign showcasing and celebrating the wide range of amazing local businesses across the area.
READ MOREFitness members are benefitting from brand new gym equipment at two local fitness centres.
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council has confirmed a revised estimated completion date of spring 2026 for its Aurs Road improvement project.
READ MOREInnis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.
READ MOREGarden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations.
READ MORERockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has revealed five new artists to the Glasgow Green billing, including two of the hottest UK acts right now, JADE and Myles Smith!
READ MOREMore than 30 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Tuesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland marks the start of its spring/summer season.
READ MORETo coincide with World Theatre Day this Thursday (27 March), Vue venues in Scotland are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.
READ MORE