The completion date for the Aurs Road improvement project, which aims to transform the winding single carriage road into a safer, straighter route with new active travel infrastructure, has been revised to spring 2026.

Construction on the route, which connects Barrhead and Newton Mearns, commenced in January 2024, with an initial 12-month road closure. However, East Renfrewshire Council has now announced a further delay, extending the closure period significantly beyond the previously announced summer 2025 estimate.

The council attributed the extended timescale to a series of unforeseen challenges, including difficult ground conditions, the discovery of unmapped utilities, the excavation of a former waterworks structure, and, most recently, an area of subsidence requiring redesign work.

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council stated: "The transformational Aurs Road project was always going to be exceptionally complex, with a range of factors making it challenging to accurately forecast the time it would take to complete. In addition to issues already encountered, including challenging ground conditions, moving unmapped utilities and the excavation of a former water works structure, an area of subsidence has necessitated some redesign work which is ongoing."

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"Although we are working closely with the contractors to tackle these issues as a matter of urgency, we now estimate that, unfortunately it will be spring 2026 before work on the road is completed and Aurs Road will remain closed until then. We apologise to residents for the delay."

The council emphasised the complexity of the project, acknowledging the risk of unforeseen delays and the necessity of completing all works to ensure the delivery of the intended improvements. They also stressed the long-term benefits of the project, including improved transport links and a new waterside promenade overlooking Balgray Reservoir.

"While the project will take longer than expected, these much-needed improvements will be absolutely worthwhile in the long term, providing better transport links and an impressive waterside promenade," the spokesperson added.

The Aurs Road project is funded through investments from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, with contributions from the UK and Scottish governments, East Renfrewshire Council, Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme, and developer contributions from new housing developments in the area. The council has urged drivers to continue using official diversion routes during the ongoing road closure, rather than relying on unsuitable back roads.