Significant progress continues on transformative Aurs Road project
An update highlighting significant progress is due to go before East Renfrewshire councillors.
The Glasgow City Region City Deal project to transform the route between Barrhead and Newton Mearns, creating a safer road, active travel route and waterside promenade, is set to be delivered by spring 2026.
In the latest update on the Aurs Road project, it has been confirmed that significant progress has been made to the complex infrastructure project.
The update report highlights that work is progressing well with 88% of the new waterside promenade wall completed, two road bridges in place, part of the road surface now laid, and a new roundabout junction underway.
A range of factors have impacted the timescale for delivering the project, including challenging ground conditions, moving unmapped utilities, and the excavation of a former water works structure, as well as an area of subsidence being identified which required part of the scheme to be redesigned.
The challenges encountered have increased the overall cost with the project expected to be £28m. If approved, this would include funding of £11.8m (£5.9m each) from the Scottish and UK Governments through the City Deal, £8.6m from Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme (funded by the Scottish Government), £6.1m from East Renfrewshire Council and a further £1.4m in developer contributions.
Councillors are being asked to approve the increased budget at a Full Council meeting on 10 September.
Caitriona McAuley, Director of Environment at the Council, said: ‘The Aurs Road improvement project is a critical part of East Renfrewshire’s City Deal programme. The focus remains on completing this project as soon as possible and continuing to manage the costs through regular and sustained scrutiny.
“While the project has taken longer than expected and costs have increased, these much-needed improvements will be worthwhile in the long-term, providing better transport links and an impressive waterside promenade to benefit local communities.
“The delays and increasing budget requirements are challenging, however, now the revised designs are in place, the project is anticipated to move forward to completion within the estimated cost which has been set out. We appreciate residents’ patience during this project and are now looking forward to it progressing towards completion.“
The Glasgow City Region City Deal is a £1 billion partnership between the eight local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. Launched ten years ago, it is made up of 22 major infrastructure projects across the Region and includes contributions from local government.