View source for A77 road

{{Short description|Road in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox road
| country = GBR
| type = A
| route = 77
| map = [[File:A77 road map.png|200px]]
| map_custom = yes
| image = On The A77 - geograph.org.uk - 775879.jpg
| image_notes = On The A77 near Minishant, showing SPECS camera
| length_mi = 91.5
| length_ref = <ref name="Mile"/>
| direction_a = North
| terminus_a = {{Jct|country=GBR|A|814}} in [[Glasgow]]<br />{{coord|55.8563|-4.2576|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline|name=A77 road (northern end)}}
| direction_b = South
| terminus_b = North Crescent / South Crescent in [[Portpatrick]]<br />{{coord|54.8418|-5.1168|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline|name=A77 road (southern end)}}
| junction = {{ubl|{{Jct|country=GBR|M|77}} near [[Newton Mearns]]|{{Jct|country=GBR|M|77}} in [[Fenwick, East Ayrshire|Fenwick]]|{{Jct|country=GBR|A|71|A|77|A|735}} in [[Kilmarnock]]|{{Jct|country=GBR|A|78}} near [[Prestwick]]|{{Jct|country=GBR|A|751}} near [[Stranraer]]|{{Jct|country=GBR|A|75}} in Stranraer}}
| destinations = 
* [[Glasgow]]
* [[Kilmarnock]]
* [[Ayr]]
* [[Girvan]]
* [[Stranraer]]
<!-- only places in [[List of primary destinations on the United Kingdom road network]] to be included please -->
| areas = [[Glasgow]], [[East Renfrewshire]], [[East Ayrshire]], [[South Ayrshire]], [[Dumfries and Galloway]]
|previous_type  = A
|next_type      = A
|previous_route = 76
|next_route     = 78
}}

The '''A77 road''' is a major road in Scotland. It runs in a southwesterly direction from the city of [[Glasgow]], past the towns of [[Giffnock]], [[Newton Mearns]], [[Kilmarnock]], [[Prestwick]], [[Ayr]], [[Girvan]] and [[Stranraer]] to the village of [[Portpatrick]] on the [[Irish Sea]]. It passes through the [[council areas]] of Glasgow City, [[East Renfrewshire]], [[East Ayrshire]], [[South Ayrshire]] and [[Dumfries and Galloway]].

It has full [[trunk road]] status from the terminus of the [[M77 motorway]] at [[Fenwick, East Ayrshire|Fenwick]] to the junction with the [[A75 road|A75]] in Stranraer.  Some sections - most notably those between [[Turnberry, South Ayrshire|Turnberry]] and [[Girvan]], and thereon to [[Ballantrae]], run directly on the coastline with scenic views over the [[Firth of Clyde]] and the Irish Sea.  The section between [[Cairnryan]] and Stranraer runs on the shore of [[Loch Ryan]].

The A77 is an important link from [[Glasgow]] to one of its two major airports, [[Glasgow Prestwick International Airport|Prestwick Airport]], and to the two [[Transport in Scotland#Ferries|Northern Ireland ferry]] terminals at [[Cairnryan]]. As a result, the road is subject to a busy mixture of commuter, tourist and heavy goods vehicle traffic which has necessitated upgrades to many sections.

== History ==

[[Bypass (road)|Bypasses]] for Ayr and Kilmarnock were built in the 1970s, and the M77 motorway replaced the Glasgow to Newton Mearns section in two stages, in the mid-to-late 1990s, but [[M77 motorway#History|not without controversy]] as a section of the motorway was routed through [[Pollok Country Park]].

This still left the East Ayrshire and southern East Renfrewshire stretch of the road which widely appeared in statistics as one of the most dangerous sections of road in Scotland.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} The majority of this section was an unsegregated, four-lane single carriageway between Kilmarnock and Newton Mearns and the lanes were narrow compared to the standard of other major roads. At several points, it was common for traffic waiting to turn right to queue in the overtaking lane. The speed limit of {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h}} was widely ignored. Finally, the road narrowed to only two lanes near Newton Mearns, causing long queues.

The combined result was a number of fatal crashes. The [[Scottish Executive]] took the decision to replace the entire section up to the Kilmarnock bypass with an extension of the M77 after pressure and campaigning from [[West Sound (Ayrshire)|West Sound]] and [[West FM]].  This section was built in tandem with the A726 Glasgow Southern Orbital which provided a new direct connection between the M77/A77 and [[East Kilbride]], thus diverted most of the southbound traffic bound for the A77 away from the B764 Eaglesham Moor route, and particular removed its dangerous junction with the A77 which was the site of many fatal accidents.

Construction of the motorway was faster than usual, given the eagerness to replace the A77 after another fatal crash in June 2002 resulted in the death of Hugh Davidson, then Chief Inspector of [[Strathclyde Police]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollofhonour.org/national_roll/2002/NPORH_2002.htm|title=Police Roll of Honour 2002| publisher=Roll of Honour Research | date=29 May 2012 | access-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> and the motorway was opened in April 2005. This completed a continuous dual carriageway road from Glasgow to Ayr.  The original section of the A77 between Newton Mearns and Fenwick was downgraded to a local access route, with one half of the former four lane single carriageway converted to a cycle path.

In an effort to prevent a repeat of the fatalities on the southern section of the road, July 2005 saw the A77 become host to the largest automatic [[speed limit enforcement]] system in the whole of the UK. Based on the digital [[SPECS (speed camera)|SPECS]] system rather than the traditional fixed post [[GATSO]] film cameras, gantries with automatic numberplate recognition cameras are sited on the road at intervals of between {{convert|1|and|5|mi|km|0}} and measure the average speed of traffic. The enforced zone stretches from the Bogend Toll Junction ([[Dundonald, South Ayrshire|Dundonald]]/[[Tarbolton]] junction) at its northern end on the dual carriageway section, down to just north of Lendalfoot; a distance of around {{convert|32|mi|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/a77-symington-and-bogend-toll-project|title=A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Project – Project Benefits|publisher=Transport Scotland|date=November 2010|access-date=1 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012035906/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/projects/a77-symington-and-bogend-toll-project|archive-date=12 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

From 10 March 2008 a long term temporary {{convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} limit from Bogend Toll to Dutch House Roundabout was introduced,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.a77safetygroup.com/index.cfm/page/31/newsitem/35/newscategory/0/ |title=SPECS Continues to Reduce A77 Casualties|date=30 October 2008|publisher=A77 Safety Group|access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> following the death in October 2006 of another police officer, Constable Kevin Lowe. Constable Lowe was on duty and en route at approximately {{convert|120|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in an unmarked car to a call at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/Lowe.html |title=Determination in Respect of the Death of Police Comstable Kevin Lowe| publisher=Scotcourts.gov.uk | date=12 November 2007 | access-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> This speed limit was to remain in force until new grade separated junctions were opened in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2012/04/12/transport-scotland-invites-bids-for-a75-and-a77/|title=Transport Scotland invites bids for A75 and A77| publisher=Construction Enquirer | date=12 April 2012 | access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> As of April 2025, the speed limit is still in force.

There have been continued efforts to improve the road in the south.  In the early 1990s, a 2km section south of [[Lendalfoot]] and just  north of [[Ballantrae]] was rediverted further back from the coastline at Snib's Cave due to coastal erosion and to provide a climbing lane to improve overtaking opportunities. Over a decade later, another such project was the Turnberry Climbing Lane which opened in 2005, has enhanced guaranteed overtaking opportunities on the single carriageway section. Another improvement opened in Autumn 2006, the upgraded Whitletts roundabout<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a77safetygroup.com/index.cfm/page/69 |title=Improvements at Whitletts |publisher=A77 Safety Group |date=2006 |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209195408/http://www.a77safetygroup.com/index.cfm/page/69 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> with [[traffic lights]] and spiral lanes. Climbing lanes were added at Haggstone and Drummuckloch and a {{convert|0.8|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch was straightened north of nearby [[Glenapp Castle|Glenapp]] in autumn 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.a77safetygroup.com/index.cfm/page/31/newsitem/36/newscategory/0/|title=South west Scotland gets roads improvements Christmas present|date=December 2008|publisher=A77 Safety Group|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2011 a {{convert|1.8|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch was widened from Park End to [[Bennane Head|Bennane]].<ref name="WPCleanerAuto1">{{cite web |url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/A77-Parkend-Bennane-completion |title=Transport Minister views progress of A77 |publisher=Transport Scotland |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414130916/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/A77-Parkend-Bennane-completion |archive-date=14 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2022, a bypass opened at [[Maybole]]. The bypass was constructed to the west of the town from 2019 and was initially intended to open in Summer 2021. The bypass is expected to improve traffic flow and decrease traffic through Maybole's town centre.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-60198993 Long-awaited A77 Maybole bypass officially opens], BBC News, 31 January 2022</ref>

The A77 was formerly part of the [[Euroroute]] system, and comprised route E111.

==Proposed developments==

Further minor improvements are planned with no dates published for:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/trunk-road-projects |title=Trunk Road Projects |publisher=Transport Scotland |date=November 2010 |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208013718/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/trunk-road-projects |archive-date=8 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* Ardwell to Slockenray overtaking lane {{convert|1.2|mi|km}}
* Dowhill to Chapeldonan realignment {{convert|2.0|mi|km}}

==Junction list==
{{SCTinttop|length_ref=<ref name="Mile">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/55.8563393,-4.2575594/55.7834588,-4.3141427/55.6524404,-4.4508035/54.8417969,-5.1168333/@54.8424879,-5.1191871,857m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m1!4e1!1m0!1m0!1m0!2m1!1b1!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D|title=55.8563393, -4.2575594 to 76 Ayr Rd, Newton Mearns, Glasgow G77 6EP, UK to The Fenwick Hotel, Junction 8 M77, Fenwick, Kilmarnock KA3 6AU, United Kingdom to 27 South Cres, Portpatrick, Stranraer DG9 8JR, UK|publisher=[[Google Maps]]|access-date=26 December 2025}}</ref>}}
{{GBRint
|county=Glasgow
|cspan=2
|location=Glasgow
|mile=0.0
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|814|M|8|to2=yes|dir2=east|name1=Broomielaw|city1=Glasgow Cross}}
|notes=Northern terminus
}}
{{GBRint
|location_special=[[Tradeston]]–<br>[[Gorbals]]<br>boundary
|mile=0.2
|mile2=0.3
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|8|M|8|M|74|M|77|to2=yes|name1=Kingston Street / Nelson Street / Norfolk Street|city1=Gorbals|city2=East Kilbride|city3=Tradeston}}
|notes=Destinations signed southbound only, To M74 signed northbound only
}}
{{GBRint
|county=East Renfrewshire
|cspan=2
|location=Giffnock
|mile=4.7
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|727|M|77|to2=yes|name1=Eastwoodmains Road / Rouken Glen Road|city1=East Kilbride|location2=[[Clarkston, East Renfrewshire|Clarkston]]|city3=Glasgow|location4=[[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]]|location5=[[Glasgow Prestwick Airport|Prestwick Airport]]}}
|notes=
}}
{{GBRint
|location=none
|mile=8.5
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|M|77|A|726|city1=Glasgow|location2=[[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]]|city3=Kilmarnock|city4=East Kilbride}}
|notes=M77 junction 5
}}
{{GBRint
|type=incomplete
|county=East Ayrshire
|cspan=5
|location=none
|mile=13.6
|mile2=13.8
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|M|77|dir1=northeast|city1=Glasgow|city2=East Kilbride}}
|notes=No access to M77 southwest or from M77 northeast; M77 junction 6
}}
{{GBRint
|type=incomplete
|location_special=[[Fenwick, East Ayrshire|Fenwick]]
|lspan=2
|mile=16.5
|mile2=17.5
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|M|77|dir1=northeast|city1=Glasgow|city2=East Kilbride}}
|notes=No acess from A77 south to M77 northeast; southwestern terminus of M77
}}
{{GBRint
|type=incomplete
|mile=17.5
|mile2=18.6
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|B|7038|B|7061|city1=Kilmarnock|location2=[[Fenwick, East Ayrshire|Fenwick]]}}
|notes=Junction; B7061 signed southbound only
}}
{{GBRint
|location_special=[[Kilmarnock]] boundary
|mile=19.4
|mile2=19.9
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|B|7082|city1=Kilmarnock|city2=New Farm Loch}}
|notes=Junction; New Farm Loch signed southbound only
}}
{{GBRint
|location=Kilmarnock
|mile=21.2
|mile2=21.7
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|71|A|76|A|735|dir2=south|dir3=north|city1=Kilmarnock|location2=[[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]|city3=Dumfries|city4=Edinburgh|city5=Hurlford|location6=[[Galston, East Ayrshire|Galston]]|city7=Crosshouse|city8=Mauchline|city9=Cumnock}}
|notes=Junction; Hurlford, Galston, Crosshouse, Mauchline and Cumnock signed northbound only; northern terminus of A76; southern terminus of A735
}}
{{GBRint
|type=incomplete
|county=South Ayrshire
|cspan=11
|location=none
|mile=24.7
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|B|7038|city1=Kilmarnock}}
|notes=Junction; northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{GBRint
|location=Coodham
|mile=25.5
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|B|730|location1=[[Dundonald, South Ayrshire|Dundonald]]|city2=Tarbolton}}
|notes=Junction
}}
{{GBRint
|location_special=[[Symington, South Ayrshire|Symington]]
|mile=26.6
|mile2=26.7
|road=[[Symington, South Ayrshire|Symington]], Hansel, Underwood, Ladykirk
|notes=Junction; only Symington signed southbound
}}
{{GBRint
|location_special=[[Monkton, South Ayrshire|Monkton]]
|mile=28.4
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|78|road|Kilmarnock Road|A|79|B|749|dir1=north|to3=yes|location1=[[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]|city2=Prestwick|city3=Troon|location4=[[Monkton, South Ayrshire|Monkton]]|city5=Greenock|extra=airport}}
|notes=To B749 and Greenock signed northbound only; southern terminus of A78
}}
{{GBRint
|type=concur
|location=none
|mile=30.6
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|719|B|742|road|Sandyford Road|dir1=north|city1=Mossblown|city2=Annbank|location3=[[Galston, East Ayrshire|Galston]]}}
|notes=Annblank signed southbound only; northern terminus of A719 concurrency
}}
{{GBRint
|type=concur
|location=Ayr
|lspan=4
|mile=32.3
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|719|B|743|A|79|dir1=south|to3=yes|name1=High Road|name2=Heathfield Road|city1=Ayr|city2=Prestwick|city3=Mauchline|city4=Mossblown}}
|notes=Southern terminus of A719 concurrency
}}
{{GBRint
|mile=33.9
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|70|name1=Holmston Road|city1=Ayr|city2=Edinburgh|city3=Cumnock}}
|notes=
}}
{{GBRint
|mile=35.0
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|713|name1=Dalmellington Road|city1=Ayr|city2=Dalmellington|city3=Castle Douglas|extra=hospital}}
|notes=
}}
{{GBRint
|mile=35.8
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|79|dir1=north|name1=Maybole Road|city1=Ayr}}
|notes=Southern terminus of A79
}}
{{GBRint
|location_special=[[Turnberry, South Ayrshire|Turnberry]]
|mile=49.2
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|719|dir1=north|name1=Maidens Road|location1=[[Turnberry, South Ayrshire|Turnberry]]|location2=[[Maidens, South Ayrshire|Maidens]]|city3=Ayr}}
|notes=Southern terminus of A719
}}
{{GBRint
|location=Girvan
|mile=55.3
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|714|road|Coalposts Road (B7035)|dir1=southeast|location1=[[Barrhill, South Ayrshire|Barrhill]]|city2=Newton Stewart|location3=Pinmore|city4=Pinwherry}}
|notes=Only Newton Stewart signed northbound; northwestern terminus of A714
}}
{{GBRint
|county=Dumfries and Galloway
|cspan=6
|location=none
|mile=81.3
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|751|A|75|dir1=south|to2=yes|city1=Dumfries}}
|notes=Northern terminus of A751
}}
{{GBRint
|location=Stranraer
|lspan=3
|mile=83.4
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|road|Port Rodie ([[A717 road|A717]] west)|A|718|to2=yes|city1=Kirkcolm}}
|notes=Information signed southbound only; eastern terminus of A717
}}
{{GBRint
|mile=83.6
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|75|B|737|dir1=east|name2=London Road|location1=[[Stranraer|Town centre]]|city2=Dumfries}}
|notes=B737 and Town centre signed northbound only; western terminus of A75
}}
{{GBRint
|mile=84.2
|road=Lewis Street ([[A718 road|A718]] north)
|notes=Southern terminus of A718
}}
{{GBRint
|location=none
|mile=86.0
|road={{Jct|country=GBR|A|716|dir1=south|city1=Drummore}}
|notes=Northern terminus of A716
}}
{{GBRint
|location=Portpatrick
|mile=91.5
|road=North Crescent / South Crescent
|notes=Southern terminus
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=incomplete,concur}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commonscat-inline}}
{{GeoGroupTemplate}}
* [http://www.a77safetygroup.com/index.cfm/page/1/ A77 Safety Group Website]
* [http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/roadlists/f99/77.shtml A77 on SABRE Road Lists]

{{UK primary routes 7}}
{{Carrick}}
{{Transport in Glasgow}}

{{coord|55.3501|-4.6978|dim:100000_region:GB|display=title|name=A77 road}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:7-0077}}
[[Category:Roads in Scotland]]
[[Category:Transport in Glasgow]]
[[Category:Transport in East Renfrewshire]]
[[Category:Transport in East Ayrshire]]
[[Category:Transport in Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Giffnock]]
[[Category:Gorbals]]
[[Category:Govanhill and Crosshill]]
[[Category:Newton Mearns]]
[[Category:Kilmarnock]]
[[Category:Prestwick]]
[[Category:Ayr]]
[[Category:Maybole]]
[[Category:Girvan]]
[[Category:Stranraer]]
[[Category:Transport in South Ayrshire]]
[[Category:Rhins of Galloway]]