Work has started on three major road schemes in the south of Scotland, which will benefit both drivers and residents.

Transport Scotland said the Transport Minister, Keith Brown, visited Ayrshire on Thursday to mark the beginning of the schemes.

Work will now get underway on the A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Improvements in South Ayrshire, the A75 Dunragit Bypass and the A75 Hardgrove to Kinmount in Dumfries and Galloway.

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Mr Brown said: "These three projects combined represent a bumper package of investment worth £36.7 million. On completion, the new road improvements will enhance journey time reliability and improve safety on the A75 and A77.

"These will bring real improvements on key routes to and from our the Cairnryan ports, as well as providing better connections across South West Scotland."

R J McLeod is the contractor for the A77 Symington and A75 Dunragit schemes, while the A75 Hardgrove works will be carried out by McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd.

The A77 Symington and Bogend Toll scheme has a construction cost of £10.6m, the Dunragit Bypass has a cost of £17.1m and the A75 Hardgrove has a construction cost of £9m.

All three schemes are expected to be completed in 2014.

(JP/MH)