South Ayrshire Council has approved plans for a record level of investment in the region’s roads network over the next year.

The Road Improvement Plan 2018/19 will see almost £10 million invested in roads, street lighting and infrastructure by 31 March 2019, including an extra £3m capital funding agreed by councillors when setting the budget last month.

Around half the investment will be used specifically for road reconstruction, resurfacing and improvement works including pothole repairs, carriageway patching, footway works and winter treatment.

The remaining funds will be used for street lighting repairs, introducing LED lighting in more areas, bridge works, and to progress the introduction of 20mph speed limits in rural villages.

Councillor Ian Cochrane, portfolio holder for sustainability and the environment, said: “We know how important the roads network is for growing our economy and supporting our towns and villages and that’s why we’ve pulled out all the stops to boost the funding available over the next year and really start to make a difference.

“While we know it’s not everything that’s needed, I have no doubt it will make a meaningful and lasting difference and significantly improve the condition of the specified roads across South Ayrshire.

“The projects we will be progressing have been identified and prioritised using our detailed ranking system, which will allow us to get to work where it’s needed most as soon as possible. And all the road surfacing works will be complete by autumn so they are in the best possible condition before winter hits.

“This will allow us to continue the positive downward trend in the percentage of our roads needing repair, which has gone down from 45% to 41% over the last five years.

“This record funding in our roads network is testament to our commitment to our people and places across South Ayrshire and I look forward to seeing the works getting underway.”

The full details of the projects within the Road Improvement Plan 2018/19 will be kept under review.