A78

Route

The A78 in Largs

Main Article: A78 route

The A78 is a major road that runs between Greenock and Monkton via Irvine. Hugging close to the Firth of Clyde it is a road of two halves. The northern section is mostly unimproved though the various towns and villages of the route while the southern half is a D2/D3 high standard dual carriageway.

History

Main Article: A78 history

Over the years the A78 has had many improvement over the years. The biggest change was a rerouteing of the northern end of the road in 1985. Most of the improvements though are on the southern section of the road starting from the Three Towns.

Notable locations and improvements

Bankfoot Roundabout

A770 view of roundabout

Main Article: Bankfoot Roundabout

Bankfoot Roundabout is where the A78 used to TOTSO before the 1985 rerouteing. Originally a T-junction and later a D2 T-junction, in 2005 it was upgraded to a roundabout and made the junction far safer.

Rothesay Ferry

The Rothesay ferry at dock at Wyness Bay

Main Article: Rothesay Ferry

The Rothesay ferry is the southern Ferry for the Isle of Bute. It is by far the busier of the two as it docks by Wemyss Bay railway Station. The crossing takes 35 minutes.

Cumbrae Ferry

The Cumbrae Ferry in 2006

Main Article: Cumbrae Ferry

The Cumbrae Ferry is the sole crossing to Great Cumbrae Island. Accessed via the B7025 it is a short 10 minute ferry and is a busy route.

Newhouse Interchange

The interchange from the south.

Main Article: Newhouse Interchange

The Newhouse Interchange marks the end of the Irvine bypass. Built in the 1970's, it is a busy roundabout.

Opening Dates

Month	Year	Section	Notes
	2005	Bankfoot Roundabout	Junction rebuilt to roundabout
	2004	Three Towns Bypass	S2+1/D2 bypass of the Three Towns
	1985	Spango Valley	Road rerouted onto old A742.
	1976	Irvine Bypass	D2/D3 bypass of Irvine.

Links

Roads UK

• Highways and Byways Route Guide

Pictures

• 

  Here is the A78 in the Northern end of Fairlie.

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