A77 road

Last updated

UK road A77.svg
A77
A77 road map.png
On The A77 - geograph.org.uk - 775879.jpg
On The A77 near Minishant, showing SPECS camera
Route information
Length91.7 mi [1]  (147.6 km)
Major junctions
Northeast end Glasgow
55°51′23″N4°15′27″W / 55.8563°N 4.2576°W / 55.8563; -4.2576 (A77 road (northern end))
Major intersections
Southwest end Portpatrick
54°50′30″N5°07′00″W / 54.8418°N 5.1168°W / 54.8418; -5.1168 (A77 road (southern end))
Location
Country United Kingdom
Primary
destinations
Road network
← UK road A76.svg A76 → UK road A78.svg A78

The A77 road is a major road in Scotland. It runs in a southwesterly direction from the city of Glasgow, past the towns of Giffnock, Newton Mearns, Kilmarnock, Prestwick, Ayr, Girvan and Stranraer to the village of Portpatrick on the Irish Sea. It passes through the council areas of Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

Contents

It has full trunk road status from the terminus of the M77 motorway at Fenwick to the junction with the A75 in Stranraer. Some sections - most notably those between Turnberry and Girvan, and thereon to Ballantrae, run directly on the coastline with scenic views over the Firth of Clyde and the Irish Sea. The section between Cairnryan and Stranraer runs on the shore of Loch Ryan.

The A77 is an important link from Glasgow to one of its two major airports, Prestwick Airport, and to the two Northern Ireland ferry terminals at Cairnryan. As a result, the road is subject to a busy mixture of commuter, tourist and heavy goods vehicle traffic which has necessitated upgrades to many sections.

History

Bypasses for Ayr and Kilmarnock were built in the 1970s, and the M77 motorway replaced the Glasgow to Newton Mearns section in two stages, in the mid-to-late 1990s, but not without controversy as a section of the motorway was routed through Pollok Country Park.

This still left the East Ayrshire and southern East Renfrewshire stretch of the road which widely appeared in statistics as one of the most dangerous sections of road in Scotland.[ citation needed ] The majority of this section was an unsegregated, four-lane single carriageway between Kilmarnock and Newton Mearns and the lanes were narrow compared to the standard of other major roads. At several points, it was common for traffic waiting to turn right to queue in the overtaking lane. The speed limit of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) was widely ignored. Finally, the road narrowed to only two lanes near Newton Mearns, causing long queues.

The combined result was a number of fatal crashes. The Scottish Executive took the decision to replace the entire section up to the Kilmarnock bypass with an extension of the M77 after pressure and campaigning from West Sound and West FM. This section was built in tandem with the A726 Glasgow Southern Orbital which provided a new direct connection between the M77/A77 and East Kilbride, thus diverted most of the southbound traffic bound for the A77 away from the B764 Eaglesham Moor route, and particular removed its dangerous junction with the A77 which was the site of many fatal accidents.

Construction of the motorway was faster than usual, given the eagerness to replace the A77 after another fatal crash in June 2002 resulted in the death of Hugh Davidson, then Chief Inspector of Strathclyde Police, [2] and the motorway was opened in April 2005. This completed a continuous dual carriageway road from Glasgow to Ayr. The original section of the A77 between Newton Mearns and Fenwick was downgraded to a local access route, with one half of the former four lane single carriageway converted to a cycle path.

In an effort to prevent a repeat of the fatalities on the southern section of the road, July 2005 saw the A77 become host to the largest automatic speed limit enforcement system in the whole of the UK. Based on the digital SPECS system rather than the traditional fixed post GATSO film cameras, gantries with automatic numberplate recognition cameras are sited on the road at intervals of between 1 and 5 miles (2 and 8 km) and measure the average speed of traffic. The enforced zone stretches from the Bogend Toll Junction (Dundonald/Tarbolton junction) at its northern end on the dual carriageway section, down to just north of Lendalfoot; a distance of around 32 miles (51 km). [3]

From 10 March 2008 a long term temporary 50 mph (80 km/h) limit from Bogend Toll to Dutch House Roundabout was introduced, [4] following the death in October 2006 of another police officer, Constable Kevin Lowe. Constable Lowe was on duty and en route at approximately 120 mph (190 km/h) in an unmarked car to a call at the time. [5] This speed limit was to remain in force until new grade separated junctions were opened in 2014. [6] It's still[ when? ] in force.

There have been continued efforts to improve the road in the south. In the early 1990s, a 2km section south of Lendalfoot and just north of Ballantrae was rediverted further back from the coastline at Snib's Cave due to coastal erosion and to provide a climbing lane to improve overtaking opportunities. Over a decade later, another such project was the Turnberry Climbing Lane which opened in 2005, has enhanced guaranteed overtaking opportunities on the single carriageway section. Another improvement opened in Autumn 2006, the upgraded Whitletts roundabout [7] with traffic lights and spiral lanes. Climbing lanes were added at Haggstone and Drummuckloch and a 0.8-mile (1.3 km) stretch was straightened north of nearby Glenapp in autumn 2008. [8] In 2011 a 1.8-mile (2.9 km) stretch was widened from Park End to Bennane. [9]

In 2022, a bypass opened at Maybole. The bypass was constructed to the west of the town and was initially intended to open in Summer 2021. The bypass is expected to improve traffic flow and decrease traffic through Maybole's town centre.[ citation needed ]

The A77 was formerly part of the Euroroute system, and comprised route E111.

Proposed developments

Further minor improvements are planned with no dates published for: [10]

Related Research Articles

The A1 is the longest numbered road in the United Kingdom, at 410 miles (660 km). It connects London, the capital of England, with Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It passes through or near North London, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Baldock, Letchworth Garden City, Biggleswade, St Neots, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent, Retford, Doncaster, York, Pontefract, Wetherby, Ripon, Darlington, Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M8 motorway (Scotland)</span> Busiest motorway in Scotland

The M8 is the busiest motorway in Scotland. It connects the country's two largest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and serves other large communities including Airdrie, Coatbridge, Greenock, Livingston and Paisley. The motorway is 60 miles (97 km) long. A major construction project to build the final section between Newhouse and Baillieston was completed on 30 April 2017. The motorway has one service station, Heart of Scotland Services, previously named Harthill due to its proximity to the village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A75 road</span> Road in Scotland

The A75 is a primary trunk road in Scotland, linking Stranraer and its ferry ports at Cairnryan with the A74(M) at Gretna, close to the border with England and the M6 motorway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A71 road</span> Road in Scotland

The A71 is a major road in Scotland linking Edinburgh with Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. It adjoins the Livingston Bypass A899.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newton Mearns</span> Town in Scotland

Newton Mearns is a suburban town and the largest settlement in East Renfrewshire, Scotland. It lies 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Glasgow City Centre on the main road to Ayrshire, 410 feet (125 m) above sea level. It has a population of approximately 26,993, stretching from Whitecraigs and Kirkhill in the northeast to Maidenhill in the southeast, to Westacres and Greenlaw in the west and Capelrig/Patterton in the northwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M77 motorway</span> Motorway in Scotland

The M77 motorway is a motorway in Scotland. It begins in Glasgow at the M8 motorway at Kinning Park, and terminates near Kilmarnock at Fenwick, becoming the A77 dual carriageway. Changes were made in 2005 segregating a lane on the M8 motorway almost as far as the Kingston Bridge, which in January 2006 was extended further onto the bridge itself. It forms the most northerly part of the A77 trunk road which links Glasgow to Stranraer in the South West of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Glasgow</span> Overview of transport in Glasgow

The city of Glasgow, Scotland has a transport system encompassing air, rail, road, and an underground light metro line. Prior to 1962, the city was also served by trams. Commuters travelling into Glasgow from the neighbouring local authorities of North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, and East and West Dunbartonshire have a major influence on travel patterns, with tens of thousands of residents commuting into the city each day. The most popular mode of transport in the city is the car, used by two thirds of people for journeys around the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paisley Gilmour Street railway station</span> Railway station in Renfrewshire, Scotland

Paisley Gilmour Street railway station is the largest of the four stations serving the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and acts as the town's principal railway station. The station is managed by ScotRail and serves the Ayrshire Coast Line and Inverclyde Line, 7+1⁄4 miles (11.7 km) west of Glasgow Central. The station is protected as a category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stranraer railway station</span> Railway station in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Stranraer railway station is a railway station that serves the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The station is 94.5 miles (151 km) southwest of Glasgow and is the terminus of the Glasgow South Western Line. It has two platforms and is staffed on a part-time basis. Stranraer station remains owned by Stena Line and not Network Rail

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasgow South Western Line</span> Railway line in the UK

The Glasgow South Western Line is a mainline railway in Scotland that runs from Glasgow to Kilmarnock, and then either Carlisle via Dumfries, or Stranraer via Ayr, with a branch to East Kilbride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilwinning railway station</span> Railway station in North Ayrshire, Scotland

Kilwinning railway station is a railway station serving the town of Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line 26 miles (42 km) south of Glasgow Central, as well as the Glasgow South Western Line 69 miles (111 km) north of Stranraer. British Transport Police maintain an office here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barassie railway station</span> Railway station in South Ayrshire, Scotland

Barassie railway station is a railway station serving Barassie, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by ScotRail and is on the Ayrshire Coast Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayr railway station</span> Railway station in South Ayrshire, Scotland

Ayr railway station serves the town of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated in Smith Street, off Burns Statue Square. The station, which is managed by ScotRail, is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, 41+1⁄2 miles (66.8 km) south-west of Glasgow Central.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maybole railway station</span> Railway station in South Ayrshire, Scotland

Maybole railway station is a railway station serving the town of Maybole, South Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is owned by Network Rail and managed by ScotRail and is on the Glasgow South Western Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilmarnock railway station</span> Railway station in East Ayrshire, Scotland

Kilmarnock railway station is a railway station in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by ScotRail and is served by trains on the Glasgow South Western Line. One of the earliest railway stations in Scotland, the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway opened on 6 July 1812, until it was replaced by the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway on 4 April 1843.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A4 road (Northern Ireland)</span> Major road in Northern Ireland

The A4 is a major east–west road in Northern Ireland. It travels for 69.2 miles from Portadown to Belcoo through County Armagh, County Tyrone and County Fermanagh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A726 road</span> Road in Scotland

The A726 road in Scotland is a major route with several distinct sections with different characteristics and names; owing to its stages of construction, since 2005 it has two separate parts, the first running between Strathaven in South Lanarkshire and Junction 5 of the M77 motorway south of Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire via East Kilbride, and the other running between Junction 3 of the M77 and the M898 motorway near the Erskine Bridge, via Paisley and Junction 29 of the M8 motorway near Glasgow International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A78 road</span> Road in Scotland

The A78 is an A road in Scotland. It connects Greenock and Prestwick on a route which follows the northern section of the Ayrshire coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A719 road</span> Road in South Ayrshire, Scotland

The A719 is a local road in Ayrshire, Scotland, connecting Girvan and the Ayrshire coastline with Glasgow via Ayr and Galston. Among other locations it passes the Trump Turnberry golf resort and the hamlet of Moscow.

The Ayr and Dalmellington Railway was a railway company in Scotland, which connected the growing ironworks community around Dalmellington with Ayr, in Ayrshire, Scotland. Its route was originally planned by the Ayrshire and Galloway Railway as part of a scheme to link Ayr with Castle Douglas, but lack of funds limited the construction to a very short section connecting the iron and coal pits of the Dalmellington Iron Company with its iron works, opening in 1849.

References

  1. ↑ "Driving directions to Main St/A77". Google Maps. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Police Roll of Honour 2002". Roll of Honour Research. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  3. ↑ "A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Project – Project Benefits". Transport Scotland. November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "SPECS Continues to Reduce A77 Casualties". A77 Safety Group. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  5. ↑ "Determination in Respect of the Death of Police Comstable Kevin Lowe". Scotcourts.gov.uk. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  6. ↑ "Transport Scotland invites bids for A75 and A77". Construction Enquirer. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Improvements at Whitletts". A77 Safety Group. 2006. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "South west Scotland gets roads improvements Christmas present". A77 Safety Group. December 2008.
  9. ↑ "Transport Minister views progress of A77". Transport Scotland. 13 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "Trunk Road Projects". Transport Scotland. November 2010. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap  
Download coordinates as: KML

Coordinates: 55°21′00″N4°41′52″W / 55.3501°N 4.6978°W / 55.3501; -4.6978 (A77 road)

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.