As part of Transport Scotland’s strategic trunk road management programme, Scotland TranServ will combine a number of essential resurfacing projects on the A76, in order to further reduce disruption to local communities and those making essential journeys.
Resurfacing these sections of the A76 trunk road will follow strict physical distancing protocols in line with the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 guidance. In association with Transport Scotland, we have identified these projects as essential maintenance schemes, vital to maintaining the integrity and safety of the network.
The projects will include:
- Resurfacing 1.2km of trunk road at Drumlanrig between Thornhill and Sanquhar
- Patching 0.7km of trunk road, also at Drumlanrig
Alan Murray, Scotland TranServ’s Principal Roads Design Engineer said:
“This is an important section of the A76, and as such is used by emergency services, freight, retail and delivery traffic as part of their essential working. It is important that we resurface this area in order to maintain road safety. Traffic volumes currently remain low, in line with government advice, and the programme can therefore be carried out safely and with minimal disruption.
“Many new working practices have been implemented across our own workforce and those of our contractors and suppliers as we work towards the future delivery of our Network Maintenance and other programmes. Thorough risk assessments have been carried out as we take a lead in the delivery of trunk road maintenance.
“The health and safety of our workers, our contractors and the travelling public is of paramount importance to Scotland TranServ. Working in collaboration with Transport Scotland, we have identified the resurfacing of this section of the A76 as essential to the safety of the trunk road.
“Scotland TranServ and Transport Scotland would like to take this opportunity to thank drivers for making only essential journeys over the last few months, and for continuing to protect the country’s key workers.”
In order to complete these works as quickly and safely as possible, it will be necessary to implement a series of traffic management systems including:
- A76 Drumlanrig Castle surfacing scheme – delivered under daytime convoy from Wednesday 15th to Thursday 16th of July
- A76 Drumlanrig to Gilmawhallan resurfacing scheme – weekend closure between 7pm on Friday 17thand Monday 20th July, with a further overnight closure between 7pm on 6am Monday 20th and 6am on Tuesday 21st July
A further scheme is also proposed to resurface 0.8km of trunk road south of New Cumnock towards the end of July. Scotland TranServ is currently carrying out consultation with stakeholder groups.
A lengthy diversion will be in place during the weekend closure. Drivers are therefore asked to carefully plan their journeys and to add plenty of additional time for essential travel. Traffic management will only be implemented once traffic volumes are sufficiently low.
Special arrangements have been made for emergency service vehicle access. No additional provisions have been made for windfarm traffic. Motorists can find live trunk road information by visiting trafficscotland.org or by following @trafficscotland on Twitter.
Please click HERE to view diversion map:
