Transport Scotland projects, worth a combined value of £4 million, will bring significant improvements to A76 in Ayrshire this summer.

Major road improvement works, designed and managed by Amey, will take place in New Cumnock and Mauchline during Spring and Summer this year.

Benefits of this significant investment include an upgraded road surface, drainage works and improved parking.

The first phase is expected to get underway at New Cumnock in the coming weeks where two sections of the A76, one each at either end of the village, will be rebuilt over the course of 12 weeks.

Once this is complete, work will be begin at Mauchline to replace almost one mile of carriageway. This is also expected to take around 12 weeks and is planned for the quieter school holiday period.

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Alex Joannides, Transport Scotland's Project Manager said: "The A76 is a key Ayrshire route linking Kilmarnock with Dumfries. It is vital that we ensure the villages along this route are served by a safe and reliable road network.

"By carrying out these works now we can build on improvements delivered in previous years to ensure the A76 remains in good condition for years to come. We are confident that road users will see a big difference once this programme of work has been implemented."

Colin Mackenzie, Amey's unit manager for south west Scotland added: "We understand the sensitivity of working in the heart of communities so we've spent considerable time liaising with local representatives including the Community Councils, elected members and local business owners, in advance of these schemes being constructed.

"Working with Transport Scotland we will be publicising the works in a range of different ways in the lead up to both schemes to keep the communities of New Cumnock and Mauchline informed before work starts."

Further details on these schemes, including traffic management, will be issued prior to each phase starting. Road users are advised to check the press and local radio for updates and use the Traffic Scotland website to plan their journeys in advance.

The A76 is used by around 6,000 motorists each day in New Cumnock, with this number rising to 10,000 in Mauchline.

(GK/BMcC)