Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland will shortly begin a 30 week programme of work to realign the A76 at Enterkinfoot.
Work started this week beginning Monday the 3rd of June with the installation of the site compound. The project will entail realigning the road away from the unstable embankment to allow two-way traffic once more.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
“We pledged to make improvements on the A76 at the South West’s first ever transport summit, and this project will deliver greater resilience to this important route by diverting the road away from the area that is prone to landslips.
“Ultimately, this project will help provide more reliable journey times for motorists and businesses along the full length of the A76, as well as improving connectivity in the region and further afield to Northern Ireland.”
The local community was recently updated on progress with the realignment programme through information drop-in sessions held in Thornhill and Sanquhar, led by Scotland TranServ’s Principal Engineer, Charles Macklin.
Charles added:
“Scotland TranServ and Transport Scotland have continued to work closely with the local community and key stakeholders throughout the progress of the various stages required to deliver this scheme, through information drop-in sessions and newsletters. We have, in particular worked in liaison with Buccleuch Estates, and we would like to thank them for their patience and support in the planning of these works.
“Following extensive investigation works and geotechnical surveys, we have been able to programme these works to reduce the impact on the local community and businesses continuing to use this route. We have fully considered a number of options and found the realignment of the carriageway to be the best long-term solution. We will continue to work with the community and stakeholders as the project develops on site, and keep them updated with our progress.”
Further information will be available on the Scotland Transerv website. Live trunk road updates can be found by visiting trafficscotland.org, or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter.
This investment into the A76 is one of a number of such programmes being carried out by Scotland TranServ across South West Scotland, supporting the economic growth and development of the area.
Andy Fraser, Scotland TranServ’s Operating Company Representative added:
“This programme of work has been scheduled to be delivered with maximum efficiency and minimal disruption. Across South West Scotland, we’re working on behalf of Transport Scotland to prioritise such road maintenance issues and deliver our road surface improvement projects as quickly and safely as possible.”
