A71/Improvements Timeline
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The following tables have been compiled from map changes through the years.
The primary resource for opening dates has been newspaper reports digitised by the British Newspaper Archive (BNA). The newspaper digitising is ongoing so this source is not possible for all openings. Maps have been used, with Ordnance Survey One inch and Quarter inch being the most accurate, and also other online archives including Hansard. In these cases the year has been entered and reference made in the notes section.
| Location | County | Date | Distance | Notes | Location Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine Southern Approach Road | Ayrshire | 1971 | 0.7 miles (1 km) | The road from Merryvale Roundabout, on the A737 Ayr Road to Annick Road roundabout was reported as due to open next week by the Irvine Herald of 4 June 1971. It had been opened by 23 June 1971. It was designed to reduce congestion at The Cross. It was initially opened as an unclassified road until the section west of Milgarholm Roundabout was later renumbered A71 and that to the north as a spur of B7081. Only the part which became A71 is shown on the trace. | |
| Irvine Bypass Link | Ayrshire | 1981 | 0.3 miles (0.4 km) | The 400m single carriageway from the Irvine Southern Approach Road at Milgarholm Roundabout to Warrix Interchange (linking the town centre to the A78 Bypass) was reported as opened by the Irvine Herald of 18 December 1981. Cost £0.5 million. The road was a key factor in attracting the 125 bed Skean Dhu hotel, on the banks of Annick Water. | |
| Dreghorn Bypass | Ayrshire | 1978 | 2.1 miles (3.3 km) | Dual carriageway from Warrix Interchange (on A78 Irvine Bypass) to Corsehill Mount Roundabout and a single carriageway link to Main Street, east of Dreghorn. Reported as opened last week by Charles Gray, vice-convener of Strathclyde Regional Council by the Irvine Herald of Friday 31 March 1978. Cost £4 million. First phase of the Irvine to Kilmarnock new road. The link north of Corsehill Mount Roundabout later became unclassified. | |
| Dreghorn - Kilmarnock | Ayrshire | 1983 | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | Springside and Crosshouse Bypass. The dual carriageway from Corsehill Mount Roundabout (Dreghorn Bypass) to Moorfield Roundabout and a single carriageway link to Kilmarnock Road, east of Crosshouse was to open on 25 November 1983 by John Hunter, Regional Councillor. 3 miles Cost £8 million. Phase 2 of the Irvine to Kilmarnock new road. The link road section was later renumbered B7064. | |
| Kilmarnock Southern Bypass | Ayrshire | 1987 | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | Dual carriageway between Moorfield Roundabout and Bellfield Interchange (A77 Kilmarnock Eastern Bypass). The 11 March 1988 Ayrshire Post reported that it had been completed at the end of the previous year. The official opening planned for 20 November 1987 was cancelled since the amended planning application by Strathclyde Regional Council for the re-designed flyover at Riccarton had not been submitted in time to the Kilmarnock and Louden District Council, despite 3 reminders. It was the third and final phase of the Irvine to Kilmarnock dual carriageway scheme. Contractor was Fairclough Ltd., forecast cost £15 million. | |
| Galston Bypass | Ayrshire | 1981 | 0.6 miles (1 km) | Opened on 17 December 1981 by David Fulton, Regional Councillor. It included a two span bridge over River Irvine. Contractor was W.J. Barr and Sons (Scotland) Ltd. of Ayrshire, cost £2.25 million. | |
| Stonehouse Bypass | Lanarkshire | 1994 | 1.6 miles (2.6 km) | Phase 1: Lockhart Street to Strathaven Road. Completed in October 1994 per the South Lanarkshire Council Larkhill to Stonehouse Rail Study of March 2008. Contractor was John Mowlem Construction, contract value £4.2 million. Phase 2 had not yet been constructed by March 2024. | |
| Cander Bridge Diversion | Lanarkshire | 1966 | 0.7 miles (1.1 km) | The diversion between Stonehouse and Canderwater Interchange was opened on 29 April 1966 by John McEwen, Member of the County Council, per the bridge opening plaque. The new reinforced concrete bridge had a main span of 126 feet with a 33 foot carriageway. The approach roads had a 24 feet carriageway with provision to widen the northern approach to 33 feet later. Forecast cost was £220,000. | |
| Bonkle Bypass | Lanarkshire | 1973 | 1.9 miles (3.1 km) | From Morningside Road, Newmains to Allanton. Opened on 6 August 1973 by Joseph Russell, Chairman of the County Council Drainage, Roads and Lighting Committee. 24 foot carriageway. It also included a new junction at Newmains Cross and A71 was diverted along Morningside Road to join the new road. Contractor was Fram - Drysdale Ltd. of Paisley, cost £470,000. | |
| Livingston Diversion - Bankton Road | Midlothian | 1978 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Phase 2: Bellsquarry Bypass, from Brucefield to Crofthead Interchange. Work was progressing in April 1977 and it may have opened in that year. Crofthead Interchange flyover opened that month. | |
| Livingston Diversion - Bankton Road | Midlothian | 1972 | 1.1 miles (1.8 km) | Phase 1: Crofthead Interchange to a temporary junction with A899 Livingston Road and the former A71 eastbound on Main Street, Mid Calder 300m to the north-west of the later Lizzie Brice's Roundabout. Opened on 28 February 1972 (along with the Livingston Road connection to the north). Crofthead Interchange flyover opened as part of phase 2 in April 1977. | |
| East Calder and Mid Calder Bypass | Midlothian | 1981 | 3.6 miles (5.8 km) | A report in the West Lothian Courier of 13 February 1981 stated that it had still to be completed. It had been opened by 27 November 1981. | |
| Hermiston Link Road | Midlothian | 1985 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Diverted A71 to access Calder Junction on the new A720 Edinburgh City Bypass, of which the Sighthill section was opened in December 1986. The dual carriageway Link Road would have opened earlier since the old road would have been severed by the Bypass construction works. Site work on the Bypass began in September 1984. Contractor was Balfour Beatty Construction (Scotland) Ltd.. |
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