Construction work to transform Aurs Road between Barrhead and Newton Mearns started in January with the road originally set to be closed until December 2024.

Planned improvements will transform Aurs Road from a winding, single carriage road to a safer, straighter road with a new active travel route and waterside promenade overlooking Balgray Reservoir.

The site is fully operational and significant progress is being made on the development of the new road.

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: “Aurs Road is a major infrastructure project and we have encountered additional complexities. Some ground conditions have not been as expected from the site investigations undertaken before the start of the project, we have had to move unmapped existing utilities, the summer weather has been unusually wet and we have excavated and removed a former water works, uncovered as the site was prepared for construction. These have all delayed progress.

“We appreciate the inconvenience this delay and the extended road closure will have on local residents and thank everyone for their patience. We are working closely with the contractor and project managers to mitigate the delay and will provide more specific updates on progress in the new year. Once complete, Aurs Road will have a transformative impact on the local area for generations to come.”

Plans to develop visitor facilities at Balgray reservoir within Dams to Darnley Country Park are progressing. Construction is expected to start following the completion of the Aurs Road project. The construction of the new Balgray train station will also start in the new year, providing a regular link to the city centre and connecting communities along the length of the route.

The £22.68 million Aurs Road project is funded through investments from the Glasgow City Region City Deal (with contributions from the UK Government, Scottish Government and East Renfrewshire Council), Transport Scotland through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, the Scottish Government’s Bridge Fund and developer contributions from new house building projects in the area.