The funding, which includes resurfacing works and road reconstruction projects, will also be used for footpaths, traffic signals, speed restrictions, bridge maintenance, coastal defences and the continued rollout of energy efficient LED street lighting.

The investment takes South Ayrshire Council’s spending to improve roads and deliver other infrastructure projects across the region to around £17.5m over 10 years.

One of the largest resurfacing projects will see the main street in Dailly at Bridge Mill improved at a cost of £185,250, and the village of Fisherton will benefit from resurfacing works along to Lagg Farm. 

Over £5m has been allocated to improve street lighting to date and this will continue until all 20,000 street lights in South Ayrshire have been replaced with LED bulbs which save between 50% and 65% on energy consumption.

Ten footpaths will be upgraded including The Avenue in Girvan which will be transformed thanks to an allocation of just under £30,000.

Road safety particularly in rural communities continues to be a priority, following a consultation, 11 Community Councils said they were interested in adding 20 mph zones. Barrhill, Colmonell, Minishant, Crosshill, Dailly, Kirkoswald, Pinwherry, Dundonald, Barr, Monkton and Dunure are all at various stages of implementation.

Traffic signals will also be replaced in Troon and Ayr and there will be strengthening works on the Bridge of Coyle and Drumlanford Bridge.

Through the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, the council will continue to bid for funds to promote other schemes such as sustainable travel. 

Donald Gillies, director – place at South Ayrshire Council, said: “Our roads network is vital if we are to continue to grow our local economy and support our towns and villages. We are making significant improvements to our roads and infrastructure and this record investment of £9.5m will make a massive difference.

“Our roads are one of our most valuable assets estimated at £1.09 billion so we need to look after them. They enable people to get to and from work and are vital for tourism. Our roads will also play a key role as we look to deliver on the Ayrshire Growth deal and other projects such as our bid to become Scotland’s Heathrow Logistics hub which would boost the local economy.

“We continue to reduce the number of roads requiring repairs and although more work needs to be done, we have had around a 10 % reduction in roads requiring repairs in the last 5 years, so there is steady improvement.”

The improvement plan can be found here.