South Ayrshire Council is set to invest over £9.5 million on road improvements in 2019/20 which includes resurfacing works and road reconstruction projects.

The funding will also be used for footpaths, traffic signals, speed restrictions, bridge maintenance, coastal defences and the continued rollout of energy efficient LED street lighting.

This significant investment means that over 10 years, the Council will have spent around £17.5 million improving roads and delivering other infrastructure projects across South Ayrshire.

The level of funding has been a significant factor when it comes to improving South Ayrshire's roads. The condition of our roads is steadily improving with the average spend on resurfacing works increasing from £1.6 million in 2011/13 to £2.5m for 2017/19.

One of the largest resurfacing projects will see the main street in Dailly at Bridge Mill improved at a cost of £185,250, and the village of Fisherton will benefit from resurfacing works along to Lagg Farm.

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Over £5 million has been allocated to improve street lighting to date and this will continue until all 20,000 street lights in South Ayrshire have been replaced with LED bulbs which save between 50% and 65% on energy consumption.

Footpaths are vital when it comes to boosting sustainable travel, so ten paths will be upgraded across South Ayrshire including The Avenue in Girvan which will be transformed thanks to an allocation of just under £30,000.

Road safety, particularly in rural communities, continues to be a priority. Following a consultation, 11 Community Councils said they were interested in adding 20 mph zones. Barrhill, Colmonell, Minishant, Crosshill, Dailly, Kirkoswald, Pinwherry, Dundonald, Barr, Monkton and Dunure are all at various stages of implementation.

Traffic signals will also be replaced in Troon and Ayr and there will be strengthening works on the Bridge of Coyle and Drumlanford Bridge.

Through the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, the Council will continue to bid for funds to promote other schemes such as sustainable travel.

Donald Gillies, Director – Place at South Ayrshire Council said: "Our roads network is vital if we are to continue to grow our local economy and support our towns and villages. We are making significant improvements to our roads and infrastructure and this record investment of £9.5m will make a massive difference.

"Our roads are one of our most valuable assets estimated at £1.09 billion so we need to look after them. They enable people to get to and from work and are vital for tourism. Our roads will also play a key role as we look to deliver on the Ayrshire Growth deal and other projects such as our bid to become Scotland's Heathrow Logistics hub which would boost the local economy.

"We continue to reduce the number of roads requiring repairs and although more work needs to be done, we have had around a 10% reduction in roads requiring repairs in the last 5 years, so there is steady improvement."