After a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion, the Provost was driven on the new route which then immediately became open to the public.

South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan (centre) cuts a ribbon to officially open the road as children from Alloway Primary School join in the fun along with (back row left to right) Tom Cairns, Chief Executive South Ayrshire Council, Keith Murray, Head of Infrastructure South Ayrshire Council, John Cole-Hamilton, Royal and Ancient Golf Club, Graham Peterkin, Depute Chief Executive and Sandy Towers, Director of Barr Industrial.

The link road scheme, designed by South Ayrshire Council and constructed by Barr Limited, was started in October 2005, costs in the region of £730,000 and consists of the construction of approximately 650m of new carriageway including a small roundabout at the Doonholm Road junction.

The new road joins Doonholm Road to Murdoch's Lone, which will provide improved access from the A77 Trunk Road to various tourist attractions and is intended to significantly reduce the volume of traffic which requires to pass the local primary school or negotiate the corner of Doonholm Road and Alloway.

Before setting off on the “inaugural drive”, Provost Winifred Sloan said:  “The new road will provide improved traffic circulation and safer routes for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. It will clearly give improved access from the A77 Trunk Road to various tourist attractions and it will also provide suitable access to important leisure facilities further afield.

“Obviously, one immediate benefit which really must be appreciated is the fact that the creation of the link road has helped ensure the return of The Open Championship to Turnberry in 2009.  And it is to be hoped that other major golfing events will be inspired to follow this lead.”

The Provost also pointed out: “A consequence of the construction of the road should be a considerable reduction in the volume of traffic which requires to pass the local primary school or negotiate the corner of Doonholm Road and Alloway.”

The Provost was joined at the formal opening by invited guests including representation from the R & A, Burns National Heritage Park, Barr Construction, and Alloway Primary School, as well representation from the Council departments involved in the design, planning and implementation of the project.

The children from Alloway Primary School presented Provost Winifred Sloan with flowers to say thank you for being invited to the opening of the road.

South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan just before being driven on the new route which then immediately became open to the public.

March 2006