Future is bright for Erskine Bridge
It’s looking bright for Erskine Bridge with the £3.23 million upgrade of the lighting columns and electrical system now complete and new drone footage showing the full scale of the work has been released.
Principal contractor, Lightways (Contractors) Ltd has been responsible for delivering the work on time and on budget on behalf of Transport Scotland. Over the last 22 weeks they have replaced over 800 individual lamps, both internally and externally, with brighter and more efficient LED lighting across the 1,300 metre long structure and its approaches. In addition, almost 130 lamps have been switched to LED lighting on the A82.
High mast lighting columns, aircraft navigation lights and tower top CCTV have also been replaced as part of the project and will bring multiple benefits including the reduction of energy usage by up to 70 per cent.
Operating company, Scotland TranServ has overseen the programme of work, ensuring that the project was delivered on time and to specification.
Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf said:
“The Erskine Bridge is a vital link for road users, especially in the West of Scotland, and the Scottish Government has invested £7.56 million in its on-going maintenance in the last two years.
“The latest upgrade has been a complex and technical project which has seen teams working at heights of up to thirty-eight metres to install the latest LED lighting, which will not only be brighter but more energy efficient.”
Andy Fraser, operating company representative for Scotland TranServ said:
“I am delighted with the success of this project and the long term benefits that have been delivered for not only our client, but also 42,000 road users including tourists, hauliers and local residents which use this vital, lifeline route each day.
“We would like to thank our Principal Contractor, Lightways for working tirelessly to deliver this project on time and within budget and the local communities across West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde for their patience during this programme of works.”
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Scotland TranServ Press Office (24/7, 365 days per year): 0141 218 3838.
Follow us on Twitter @ScotTranserv
**UPDATE** A75 resurfacing works
Over half a million pounds of resurfacing work will be carried out on the A75 between Annan and Gretna beginning on Monday 28 November.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland will resurface over 1.5km of the route from Annan to Gretna in both directions. The works will be carried out over four consecutive overnight closures and one weekend closure, as follows:
- A75 Kirtle Water to Riggmoor, closure from:
- 00pm on Monday 28 November to 6.00am on Tuesday 29 November 2016
- 00pm on Tuesday 29 November to 6.00am on Wednesday 30 November 2016
- 00pm on Wednesday 30 November to 6.00am on Thursday 1 December 2016
- 00pm on Thursday 1 December to 6.00am Friday 2 December 2016
- A75 Birkhill to Irvington, closure from 7.00pm on Friday 2 December working 24 hours per day to 6.00am on Monday 5 December 2016.
Every effort is being made to help keep disruption to a minimum, but road closures are required to ensure the safety of both our workforce and road users. Road users are asked to follow the signed diversions.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative, Scotland TranServ said:
“This essential maintenance scheme is vital to ensure we prolong the lifespan of the road surface benefiting over 9,000 road users using the A75 Euro Route each day.
“We are doing everything we can do minimise disruption by carrying these works out overnight and at the weekend, however we would advise motorists to plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys.”
Motorists can keep up to date with real time traffic information by visiting www.trafficscotland.org or following @Traffic Scotland on Twitter. Advance warning signs will also be in place on the approaches to the works areas to advise road users that the works will be taking place.
Diversion:
Westbound
Closure of A75 at Gretna West (B721) junction, leave taking left and then right
to the B721 – travel to Annan passing through, Rigg, Eastriggs and Dornock – at Annan East take right at roundabout onto B6357 – travel to Annan Bypass East – taking right onto slip road to re-join A75 westbound
Eastbound
Closure of A75 at Annan Bypass East (B6357), take right onto link road then left onto B6357 Stapleton Road – continue to roundabout junction with B721 – take left 1st exit onto B721 passing through Dornock, Eastriggs and Rigg – after passing Loanwath Road take left onto A721 (at Gretna West) then right to re-join A75 eastbound.
Update on A78 improvements
Over £1m of essential maintenance on the A78 trunk road will continue over the coming weeks and will be completed ahead of the festive season.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will carry out two further resurfacing schemes which will help prevent further deterioration of the road surface as temperatures continue to drop. The dates and locations of the works are as follows:
- 28 November – 1 December and 5 - 6 December – Dubbs Road to Pennyburn Roundabout – Full overnight closures on weekdays only between 8.00pm and 6.00am from Monday 28 November until Thursday 1 December then again on Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 December. The exit from Pennyburn Roundabout to the A738 westbound into Stevenston will also be closed on Thursday 1, Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 of December to westbound traffic between the hours of 8.00pm and 6.00am each night.
- 2 - 5 December – Sharphill to Pennyburn Roundabouts – continuous southbound closure from 8.00pm on Friday 2 December until 6.00am on Monday 5 December. There will also be an additional overnight closure on Wednesday 7 December from 8.00pm until 6.00am.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative, Scotland TranServ said:
“We have carefully programmed the works outwith the busy festive season ensuring that Ayrshire’s roads are in top condition to withstand the effect over 4,000 vehicles travelling on this route each day.
“This significant investment will only serve to enhance the condition of the A78 trunk road, which is a vital route for road users, hauliers and tourists travelling to and from South Ayrshire, Inverclyde and beyond.
“Scotland TranServ is committed to investing in local infrastructure on behalf of our client to support economic growth throughout south west Scotland.”
Motorists can keep up to date with real time traffic information by visiting the Traffic Scotland website and following their Twitter feed.
Diversion Routes:
A78 Dubbs Road to Pennyburn Roundabout – Motorists should follow a signed diversion via Eglington Interchange/Kilwinning Road to Irvine Road (A737) and Stevenston Road (A738). At Pennyburn Roundabout a diversion route will be in place via A78 Northbound to Dalry Road (B714) then via High Road (A738).
A78 Sharphill to Pennyburn Roundabouts - Motorists will be diverted from the A78 southbound, at Montfode Roundabout via the A738 Eglinton Road and back onto A78 Southbound at Pennyburn Roundabout.
South west Scotland ready for winter
With temperatures forecast to plummet to minus two degrees in parts over the weekend, south west Scotland’s roads maintenance operator is ready to help keep motorists moving.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland, has already carried out over 230 treatments since the beginning of their winter period (1 October) but with over 19,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled, our operatives are ready to tackle even the harshest of conditions.
There are 32 active weather stations across south west Scotland’s motorways and trunk roads network, feeding live information to our Network Control Centre and enabling our winter teams to deploy up to 50 operatives who are working 24/7 to patrol and treat affected routes.
Winter treatments are being specified more efficiently and sustainably with an innovative route based forecasting system. This technique breaks down routes into shorter segments guiding our operatives to accurately treat targeted lengths of road thus saving money and resources on salt usage and helping to protect our environment.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative for Scotland TranServ said:
“Our winter resilience team will continue to work 24/7 ensuring that motorists are kept on the move when travelling across south west Scotland’s motorways and trunk roads.
“Planning for winter is a year-long activity and with 41 winter vehicles stationed across our five operational depots we are well prepared for any spells of snow and ice.
“Although routes will be treated, motorists should always exercise caution and drive according to the prevailing conditions.”
Scotland TranServ is responsible for treating routes across south west Scotland on behalf of our client Transport Scotland including M8, M74, A82, A737, Erskine and Kingston Bridges.
In 2015/16 alone, a total of 1,423 treatments were carried out with over 12,000 tonnes of salt spread.
Motorists can keep up to date with roads and winter information by following @ScotlandTranServ on Twitter.
Real time traffic information can be found on Traffic Scotland’s website www.trafficscotland.org or following their Twitter feed @trafficscotland.
£700k investment in Charing Cross barrier improvements
Approximately £700k will be invested in a project to refurbish the central reserve barrier of the M8 at Charing Cross.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will carry out the works between Junctions 17 and 19 of the M8 adjacent to the Mitchell Library.
The works will be carried out in two phases with the first commencing on Monday 21 November and lasting until 6:00am on Friday 2 December. Phase two will commence on Sunday 8 January until 6:00am on Friday 3 March 2017. The following traffic management measures will be in place throughout the works:
Phase One – Full closure of the westbound carriageway and an eastbound offside lane closure, Sunday to Thursday (excluding Sunday 20 November). Traffic management will be in place from 10.00pm each night with all restrictions removed by 6.00am the following morning.
Phase Two – For the first three weeks, a full closure of the westbound carriageway and an eastbound offside lane closure will be in place Sunday to Thursday, between 10.00pm and 6.00am. The eastbound carriageway will then be closed with a westbound offside lane closure between 10.00pm and 6.00am for the following five weeks.
Scotland TranServ’s operating company representative, Andy Fraser said:
“This vital programme of works will ensure that the central reserve barrier is safe, fit for purpose and meets modern day standards.
“We have programmed the works carefully overnight when traffic flows are expected to be lighter however road users should follow the signed diversion route during the works.”
Diversion Route:
All vehicles travelling westbound will be taken off at Charing Cross, then along Newton Street and back onto the M8 next to the Hilton. All vehicles heading eastbound will be taken off at Bothwell Street, along Pitt Street, St Vincent Street and onto North Street before joining back onto M8 between Junctions 17 and 18.
M74 JUNCTION 10 TO 11 SOUTHBOUND RESURFACING WORKS
Resurfacing work is to begin on the M74 southbound at Nethan Viaduct near Lesmahagow on Monday 21 November.
Scotland TranServ will carry out the works as part of Transport Scotland’s ongoing maintenance programme until the morning of Saturday, 26 November.
To protect the safety of operatives and road users, a full closure of the southbound carriageway will be in place overnight from 8.00pm to 6.00am between Junction 9 and 12 and a local diversion route will be implemented via the B7078.
A daytime lane closure of the southbound carriageway between 6.00am and 8.00pm will also be required on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative, Scotland TranServ said:
“These essential repairs will help improve the road surface of the M74 between Junctions 9 and 10 and benefit those using the route for years to come.
“We are making every effort to minimise disruption to road users and our teams will be on site and working overnight when traffic flows are lighter.”
Advanced warning signs will be positioned on the approach to the works to inform road users that the works are taking place.
Motorists should plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys. They can keep up to date with real time traffic information and diversion routes by visiting www.trafficscotland.org or following @TrafficScotland on Twitter.
A77 Cairnryan South Gateway Improvements
Local residents will welcome a £300k investment to improve the condition of the A77 trunk road at Cairnryan South Gateway beginning on 21 November 2016.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will carry out the works to resurface the carriageway in both directions and replace the white line markings and traffic loops.
To ensure the safety of operatives and road users alike, a convoy system will be in place each day, between the hours of 7.00am and 7.00pm, from Monday 21 until Sunday 27 November.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative for Scotland TranServ said:
“With almost 3,500 vehicles travelling on this section of the A77 each day, it is vital that the road surface is maintained to a good standard.
“We have made every effort to plan the works over the shortest timeframe possible however road users should plan their journeys to avoid delays.”
Motorists can keep up to date with live traffic information by visiting Traffic Scotland’s website and Twitter feed.
A77 Arwell works rescheduled
Following extensive consultation with the local community works to improve the road surface on the A77 at Ardwell have been rescheduled and are now set to commence on Friday 25 November 2016.
Scotland TranServ, which manages and maintains south west Scotland’s motorways and trunk roads on behalf of Transport Scotland, including the A77, will carry out the scheme to resurface the route between Girvan and Ballantrae.
To protect the safety of motorists and road users alike, a full closure is required to be in place with a signed local diversions in operation throughout the works. Operatives will work around the clock from 8.00pm on Friday 25 November to 6.00am on Monday 28 November to ensure the works are completed in the shortest time possible, reducing disruption to road users.
Scotland TranServ’s operating company representative, Andy Fraser said:
“We have listened to feedback from the local community regarding the timing of the works, however this essential work must be carried out to ensure the longevity of the road surface on this route.
“We have made every effort to programme these works over the shortest period of time, therefore reducing disruption to road users; however motorists particularly those use the ferry ports should plan their journeys accordingly.”
Road users can access real time traffic information by visiting Traffic Scotland’s website or following @TrafficScotland on Twitter.
Diversion route:
Southbound traffic should follow the A77 Girvan onto the A714 to Newton Stewart, then follow the A75 to Stranraer, onto A751 towards A77 at Innermessan, then back along the A77 to Ardwell.
Northbound traffic should follow the southbound route in reverse.
Works to begin on A738
Scotland TranServ is set to deliver a programme of works on the A738 from Dalry Road to McLuckie Drive commencing on Friday 11 November.
Over £280k will be invested by Transport Scotland in resurfacing the route which is used by almost 10,000 vehicles each day.
The safety of our operatives, supply chain and road users is a top priority therefore a full road closure will be in place over one weekend with 24 hour working from 8.00pm on Friday 11 until 6.00am Monday 14 November.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative, Scotland TranServ said:
“Across Ayrshire, we are continuing to invest on behalf of Transport Scotland to deliver an important improvement programme and long-term, tangible benefits supporting commuters, businesses and communities across South West Scotland.
“This vital maintenance scheme will ensure this section of the A738 is in excellent condition for years to come and we have programmed the works carefully over one weekend to help keep disruption to a minimum.”
Motorists can keep up to date with real time traffic information by visiting www.trafficscotland.org or following @Traffic Scotland on Twitter. Advanced warning signs will also be in place on the approach to inform motorists that roadworks are taking place.
Diversion:
Towards West Kilbride - Motorists should follow the A737 from Dalry Road to Lauchlan Way and continue along the A737 Irvine Road, turning left onto Eglinton roundabout and taking the 3rd exit onto the A78 heading Westbound towards West Kilbride.
Towards Dalry - Motorists shall exit the A738 Stevenston Road onto the A78 travelling Eastbound. Motorists should then continue along the A78 exiting at Eglinton roundabout, joining the A737 Irvine Road. Motorists will continue along the A737 Irvine road, Lauchlan Way and Dalry road, heading Northbound towards Dalry.
£1m investment in A78 improvements
Three essential maintenance schemes to get underway
Local communities across Ayrshire will welcome an investment of over £1m in maintaining the A78 trunk road, which will commence over the coming weeks, ahead of the festive season.
Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is set to carry out three resurfacing schemes which will help prevent further deterioration of the road surface as temperatures drop. The dates and locations of the works are as follows:
- 9 – 10 November - A78 Kelburn (south of Largs) – Convoy working between 8.00am and 4.00pm each day.
- 28 November - 2 December – Dubbs Road to Pennyburn Roundabout – Full overnight closures between 8.00pm and 6.00am each night.
- 2 - 5 December – Sharphill to Pennyburn Roundabouts – continuous southbound closure from 8.00pm on Friday 2 December until 6.00am on Monday 5 December.
Andy Fraser, operating company representative, Scotland TranServ said:
“We have carefully programmed the works outwith the busy festive season ensuring that Ayrshire’s roads are in top condition to withstand the effect over 4,000 vehicles travelling on this route each day.
“This significant investment will only serve to enhance the condition of the A78 trunk road, which is a vital route for road users, hauliers and tourists travelling to and from South Ayrshire, Inverclyde and beyond.
“Scotland TranServ is committed to investing in local infrastructure on behalf of our client to support economic growth throughout south west Scotland.”
Motorists can keep up to date with real time traffic information by visiting the Traffic Scotland website and following their Twitter feed.
Advanced warning signs will also be in place to inform motorists that roadworks are taking place, and signed diversions will be in place during the closures.
Diversion Routes:
A78 Kelburn – No diversion required.
A78 Dubbs Road to Pennyburn Roundabout – Motorists should follow a signed diversion via the B729 and A738.
A78Sharphill to Pennyburn Roundabouts - Motorists will be diverted from the A78 southbound, at Montfode Roundabout via the A738 Eglinton Road and back onto A78 Southbound at Pennyburn Roundabout.
