The case for a Maybole Bypass has been well made and in 2012 Amey was commissioned by Transport Scotland to progress it. In January, 2013, a public information exhibition was held in the town to give people the chance to comment on the preferred option for the scheme. Last Friday, December 13, another exhibition was held in the Carrick Centre to show the progress made.

 

Maybole is congested partly as a result of the large numbers of cars and heavy goods vehicles using the A77 traveling to and from the port facilities at Cairnryan, resulting in poor conditions for pedestrians and road users alike. A further constraint exists to the north of the town, where the A77 passes beneath the Glasgow to Stranraer Railway line through the Smithston Railway Bridge which has restricted height clearance.

 

The proposed bypass consists of 5.2km of new single carriageway to the north-west of Maybole; new roundabouts at the tie-ins to the existing A77 at Broomknowes and Smithston; a new roundabout at B7023 Culzean Road; three principal structures at Gardenrose Path overbridge, Kirklandhill Path overbridge, B7024 Alloway Road underbridge; a northbound climbing lane from the south roundabout, though the B7023 Culzean Road roundabout; a southbound climbing lane commencing north of Alloway Road; and a southbound climbing lane from the north roundabout.

 

Access to land and properties will be maintained or an alternative route will be provided; there will be a farm underpass at the southern tie-in and there will be no demolition of buildings other than the derelict Kirklandhill Cottage.

 

Construction will be mainly off line from the existing trunk road and affected side roads. The new bypass is predicted to reduce traffic on Maybole High Street by approximately 50% with the number of HGVs reducing by approximately 90%. Once construction of the bypass gets underway, the works are expected to take up to 18 months to complete.

 

Confirmation of the draft Orders, and subsequently, the Made Orders, will provide Scottish Ministers with the statutory powers to proceed with construction of the bypass, subject to funds being available. However, if objections are received, and depending on their nature and number, a Public Local Inquiry into the draft Orders may be held before an Independent Reporter appointed by Scottish Ministers. Should this be required it would delay the date at which the statutory orders for the scheme are confirmed.

 

If a Public Local Inquiry is held, then everyone who has supported, objected to, or made other representations about the draft Orders will be informed as to the date and venue. Peter Mason, former chairman of the local Bypass Committee, said after the exhibition, “Over the past 15 years I have attended Bypass exhibitions and meetings in Maybole, Ayr and at the Scottish Parliament. This latest display was the most successfully and informative yet.

 

“This was new technology at its best. There was a TV screen showing the Bypass in all its glory, it was like a drive along the new route of the Bypass, it appeared as if you were sitting in a car driving the route, it showed all of the roundabouts, underpasses, and overtaking lanes. “It showed all of the embankments where they had designed the route of the Bypass to cut down on noise from the new road and also the view of the Bypass from Maybole where possible.

 

“It was great to see we have progressed so quickly and I asked when we could see work starting on the Bypass to be told that work could start in the summer of 2015 and be completed two years later all being well and the funding being in place. “I also spoke to Adam Ingram MSP who told me that the Scottish Government have already saved £20 million on the new Forth crossing and Adam assured me that he was working hard to ensure that funding was in place for the Bypass to start quickly.

 

“Work must start now on what the people of Maybole would like to see to happen to Maybole High Street, and also what we would like to see on the brown tourism signage at the entrances to the town to encourage tourists to leave the Bypass and spend some time and money in the town, because at the moment no one stops in the town because of the volume of traffic.”

 

Mark Fletcher, chairman of Maybole Community Council said, “We were very pleased to see the progress with the proposed bypass and to also be given the opportunity to speak with Transport Scotland and Amey again. “The video visual display of the route was very helpful in showing all aspects of the proposals. It was good to hear that if all goes well we could be looking at a start date of 2015, so we will keep our fingers crossed.

 

“We are aware that this will make some very major changes to Maybole and none more than the difference to the High Street. “Imagine a street with wider footpaths with possibly one way traffic control and no more HGVs which have been damaging our buildings and killing our High Street for decades.

 

“A town with more parking and sign posting from the bypass letting people know that they can stop here. Maybole Community Council is already in discussion with South Ayrshire Council and all relevant partners regarding the future of the town and we have started up a town regeneration committee. “Perhaps people would like to join the community council or simply join a forum electronically to discuss the future of the town. This is an exciting time and our community should be driving the changes and getting what we want, rather than being told what we want. Everyone can make a difference so please get in touch.”