As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ will shortly resume an essential maintenance project on the M77 Northbound between Junction 5 and Junction 3.

The health and safety of our workers and subcontractors is of the utmost importance to Scotland TranServ. Our workers, and those working on our behalf, will follow strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government advice, as part of our steps to return safely to work.

This essential maintenance scheme is one of a number of such projects that have been identified as vital to maintaining the integrity and safety of the trunk road network.

Alan Murray, Scotland TranServ’s Principal Road Design Engineer said:

“Many new working practices have been implemented across our own workforce and those of our contractors and suppliers as we work towards the future delivery of our Structural Maintenance and other programmes. Thorough risk assessments have been carried out as we take a lead in the delivery of trunk road maintenance.

““This 850m stretch of trunk road is an important route connecting Kilmarnock, Ayr and the Cairnryan ferry ports with Glasgow and the Central Belt. As such it is used by emergency services, freight, retail and delivery traffic as part of their essential working.

“It is important that we continue resurfacing works in order to maintain road safety. Traffic volumes currently remain low, in line with government advice, and therefore any such impact on the travelling public will also remain low at this time. We would like to take this opportunity to thank drivers for continuing to make only essential journeys, and playing their part in protecting the country’s key workers.”

In order to complete these works as quickly and safely as possible, it will be necessary to implement the following traffic management systems:

• Overnight closure of the M77 Northbound between Junction 5 and Junction 3 between 8pm and 6am only, from Monday 13^th to Saturday morning 18^th July
• Daytime lane management of M77 Northbound inside lane between Junction 5 and Junction 3, with additional closure of Junction 3 off slip, between 6am and 8pm on Saturday 18^th of July only

A substantial diversion route will be in place overnight during the periods of closure. Those drivers requiring to use the M77 Northbound for essential journeys are advised to allow an additional 20 minutes journey time. Under standard weekend traffic, significant delays would normally be expected for the planned Saturday lane closure, however this is forecast to be significantly reduced due to current COVID-19 lower traffic volumes.

Special arrangements have been put in place for emergency service vehicles, however no extra requirements have been made for windfarm traffic. Motorists can find live trunk road information by visiting trafficscotland.org or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter.

Please click on the button below to view diversion map: