The first daytime closure on the B880 String Road entered its second day on Thursday, with further work planned at Machrie, Dougarie and the Ross through to 27 August.
A five-week programme of road improvements is under way on Arran, with the first daytime closure continuing today on the B880 String Road.
Work began on Wednesday 22 July between Glenloig Bridge and a point south of the Machrie Moor junction. The road is closed between 8am and 7pm today, Thursday 23 July, and will close again during the same hours on Friday 24 July.
North Ayrshire Council has scheduled 19 daytime closure dates across four locations between 22 July and 27 August.
The programme includes resurfacing on the B880 and carriageway improvements on sections of the C147 and at the Ross. Full closures will be required at each location to protect road users and workers and allow specialist machinery to operate.
The council has acknowledged that the work will affect journeys during Arran’s main summer visitor season but says favourable weather is needed for resurfacing and that the programme has been arranged to avoid weekend working.
Vehicle access will be maintained for residents and businesses during the B880 works. Traffic marshals will be stationed at the site to assist drivers.
The signed diversion for the String Road closure runs by the A841, the String, the C147 and Whiting Bay in both directions.
After the initial three-day phase ends on Friday, the B880 will close again from Wednesday 29 July to Tuesday 4 August, excluding Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August.
Further single-day closures are scheduled for Thursday 6 August and Monday 10 August.
The ten closure days on the String Road are:
- Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 July;
- Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 July;
- Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 August;
- Thursday 6 August;
- Monday 10 August.
The road will remain open during the intervening weekends.
Machrie works begin on 13 August
The second phase will affect the C147 at Machrie, close to the bus stop at the Old Byre.
The road will close from 8am to 7pm on Thursday 13 August, Friday 14 August and Monday 17 August. It will reopen during the weekend of Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August.
The diversion will run through the C147, the String and the A841 before returning to the C147.
The council describes the work as necessary carriageway improvement, although the announcement does not provide the length of road being treated or the expected additional journey time created by the diversion.
Closure north of Dougarie Boathouse
A third closure will affect a 600-metre section of the C147 north of the Dougarie Boathouse.
The road will close between 8am and 7pm on Wednesday 19 August, Thursday 20 August and Monday 24 August.
Traffic will be diverted by the C147, the String and the A841 in both directions.
The separation of the closure dates means the road is expected to remain open during the weekend between the first two days of work and the final Monday closure.
Final phase at the Ross
The fourth section of work will take place at the Ross, between Bogarie Farm and the forestry access road at the mast.
That road will close from 8am to 7pm on Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 August.
The diversion will run through the C3-A1, the Ross, the A841 and the C147 in both directions.
Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders and signs at each location will identify the precise closure points, available turning places and access restrictions.
The council says the information should help drivers establish whether individual businesses and services can still be reached directly or whether the full diversion must be followed.
This will be particularly relevant for visitors unfamiliar with Arran’s road network and for businesses dependent on deliveries and passing trade during the summer.
Council says closures cannot be avoided
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said the work was required to maintain connectivity for residents and visitors.
“These works are vital to help keep residents and visitors on the move and maintain connectivity on the island,” the spokesperson said.
“Decisions to close roads are not taken lightly, and we do so with the long-term benefits for residents, visitors and businesses in mind.
“We understand that road closures can be disruptive, especially in summer. However, works like these need to be done during spells of favourable weather so they can be completed in a timely and efficient manner.”
The council said the programme had been arranged to limit disruption to the shortest practical period and that work would not take place at weekends.
It added that full closures were necessary because of regulatory safety requirements and the use of specialist machinery.
The announcement does not state the cost of the programme, identify the contractor carrying out the work or provide estimated journey times for the diversion routes.
It also does not set out what would happen to the timetable if poor weather prevented work from being completed on the scheduled dates.
Residents, workers and visitors will therefore need to check for updates before travelling, particularly during the later phases when closures move between different sections of the island’s road network.
Details of the traffic orders are being published on North Ayrshire Council’s roadworks and road closures page. Updates are also expected through the council’s social-media channels, roadside marshals and island businesses.
Arran road closure dates
B880 String Road, Glenloig Bridge to south of Machrie Moor junction
8am to 7pm on:
- Thursday 23 and Friday 24 July;
- Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 July;
- Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 August;
- Thursday 6 August;
- Monday 10 August.
The first closure took place on Wednesday 22 July.
C147 at Machrie, near the Old Byre bus stop
8am to 7pm on:
- Thursday 13 August;
- Friday 14 August;
- Monday 17 August.
C147 north of Dougarie Boathouse
8am to 7pm on:
- Wednesday 19 August;
- Thursday 20 August;
- Monday 24 August.
The Ross, from Bogarie Farm to the forestry access road
8am to 7pm on:
- Tuesday 25 August;
- Wednesday 26 August;
- Thursday 27 August.
