Redevelopment Of East Renfrewshire Road Is “Vital” For Safe And Accessible Travel, Says Inclusive Cycling Charity
Omar Malik
22/03/24
(Artist’s Impression Of Finished Road, Image Credit: East Renfrewshire Council)
The redevelopment of Aurs Road in East Renfrewshire will improve accessible travel links, says the director of walking and cycling charity Sustrans.
Commencing in January, the £22.7 million project will transform Aurs Road - which runs from Newton Mearns to Barrhead - with completion estimated for December.
Karen McGregor, Scotland Director for Sustrans, welcomes the transformation: “Improving active travel links between communities outside of our cities is vital. This project does exactly that by delivering an accessible and direct walking, wheeling and cycling link.”
Before the redevelopment project commenced, Aurs Road consisted of a single carriageway without cycle paths or pavements - which presented safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians.
With accessible, active travel within East Renfrewshire being key to the project, current construction work will see the road become less windy and include safe cycle paths.
(Image Credit: East Renfrewshire Council)
The transformation will additionally promote the area’s natural environment to travellers, says McGregor: “This project will not only provide residents of Barrhead and Newton Mearns a safer and more convenient active travel connection, but will also open up a whole host of new opportunities to actively explore Balgray Reservoir and beyond.”
By fixing the road’s weakened infrastructure, travel between key local locations will become more accessible by permitting buses across the route.
The project is mostly government- and council-funded, with £8 million of the redevelopment being funded by Transport Scotland via Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme.
According to McGregor, the cycling charity is fully supportive the redevelopment: “We’re absolutely delighted to see work now starting on this project and grateful to all those who have taken part in making it a success.”
(Image Credit: East Renfrewshire Council)
A focus of the project is on inclusivity - especially regarding how accessible Aurs Road is for cyclists of all abilities. The 2 kilometre roadway will be constructed to make it accessible for many types of travellers; from pedestrians to cyclists to wheelchair users.
The project has also faced criticism for the timescale and inconvenience to some local residents. Barrhead SNP councillor Chris Lunday said this week that there is rising anxiety among locals following an increase in drivers speeding on alternative routes since Aurs Road’s closure.
Aurs Road is expected to reopen after the redevelopment project is completed in December 2024. Signposted diversion routes can be accessed via Darnley Road, Stewarton Road and Nitshill Road.
