Transformative Aurs Road project remains on track

Published: 2 September 2025

A project to transform the route between Barrhead and Newton Mearns by creating a safer road, an active travel route, and waterside promenade is on track to be delivered by Spring 2026.

In the latest update on the Aurs Road project, it's been confirmed that significant progress has been made to this complex infrastructure development.

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 projected total now expected to be £28m. The majority of the funding is already in place, but a further £4.3m is required.

In a report going before a Full Council meeting on 10 September, Councillors are being asked to approve an increased budget to meet the shortfall for the project that forms part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

If the increased budget is approved by Councillors, the project would be funded as follows:

• Scottish and UK Governments - £11.8m (42%)
• Sustrans' Places for Everyone programme (funded by Scottish Government) - £8.6m (31%)
• East Renfrewshire Council - £6.1m (22%)
• Developer contributions - £1.4m (5%)

Whilst the shortfall is estimated at £4.3m, Councillors will be asked to approve a sum of up to £6.9m to allow for variances in cost estimates. The council's maximum contribution to the completion of the new Aurs Road, promenade and associated active travel route is £8.7m.

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.'

Work to create a safer, straighter road with a new active travel route and waterside promenade overlooking Balgray Reservoir is progressing well. The update report highlights that 88% of the promenade wall has been completed, two new bridges are in place, part of the road surface is now laid, and a new roundabout junction under way.

The Glasgow City Region City Deal is a £1billion partnership between eight local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. Launched 10 years ago, it is made up of 22 major infrastructure projects across the region. The original £1bn programme of investment from the UK and Scottish Governments was supported with a contribution from local government of £130m. The contribution from the eight local authorities has now increased to £267m and a number of the complex projects planned originally have been paused or not progressed because of rising costs. East Renfrewshire's project portfolio is on course to be completed before the end of the City Deal programme in 2035.