MAJOR changes are coming to the main commuter road through West Kilbride.

An eight-week long programme of roadworks are set to begin on the A78 Ardrossan Road through the village on Tuesday, September 3.

Local residents were delivered a notice this week by Amey, who will be carrying out the work on behalf of Transport Scotland.

During the eight-week period, traffic management will be in place - taking a number of forms.

These will vary between lanes being narrowed and single lane closures with temporary traffic lights put in place. Such measures will be in place all day, each day, with the exception of 5-7pm.

The project will see a number of "active travel improvements" implemented on the road between its junctions with Glenbryde Road and Chapelton View.

The work will involve widening the existing footways as well as installing five new 'refuge islands' in the centre of the road. There are not currently details online of where these islands will be placed.

This project will also see parts of the kerb dropped and the installation of bollards.

The widening of the path on the northbound section of the road will also allow for a future planned "shared footway/cycleway" which will connect to the existing network along the A78. This will be subject to a redetermination order at a later date.

In their letter to residents, an Amey spokesperson said: "The works will provide a higher quality, more inclusive and safer facility for pedestrians who currently use the footways.

"The pedestrian islands will provide a safer means of crossing the trunk roads as well as acting as speed reduction measures reducing traffic speeds within the village.

"These will contribute to the overall aim to encourage more users to walk, cycle and wheel for either health, leisure or commuting purposes."

Any buses that use the route will run as normal during the duration of the project and access for emergency services and residents will be maintained at all times.

The project will be the latest to take place on the A78 in West Kilbride, after six-month long works took place outside the Waterside Hotel from November 2023 until May this year.