§ 47. Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the timetable for the construction of the Ayr road route (A77).
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Ayr road route is divided into two sections. That between the M77 and the City of Glasgow district boundary is a regional road scheme promoted by Strathclyde regional council. The remainder of the route to Malletsheugh is a trunk road and the responsibility of the Secretary of State.
A legal challenge has been made by Glasgow district council to the Secretary of State's decision on the regional road section. Prior to the challenge, that section was scheduled for a start during 1991 and it was hoped that the trunk road section would follow on in 1992 subject to the availability of funds and priorities at that time. Advance works for the regional road section, in areas not affected by the legal challenge, have already started.