South Ayrshire Council
Development, Safety and Regulation
Burns House
Burns Statue Square,
Ayr KA7 1UT

Roads Maintenance

24hr Fault Reporting Line
Tel: 01292 612302

Customer Services
Tel: 0845 601 2020
cst@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Rapidly increasing timber harvest will have a significant impact on the rural road network, which can best be managed by early planning. Data has been collected to provide the basic information for the development of voluntary 'Agreed Routes'. The aim is to keep timber traffic off the most vulnerable roads by directing it along stronger routes. The information gathered has been used to help inform Council planning and spending on roads upgrading and maintenance. Agreed Route Maps have been developed by Regional Timber Transport Groups throughout Scotland.

Download the Timber Transport Strategy (988KB)

The route agreements are based on information collected in a survey carried out for the Ayrshire Timber Transport Group. Outgoing volumes of timber were estimated with locations and proposed direction of timber movement identified for each timber exit point. The survey included woodland in public and private ownership. The Forestry Commission Scotland then produced 'Timber Extraction Maps' showing the estimated timber extraction forecast. The Ayrshire Timber Transport Group then used the Timber Extraction Maps along with technical data and local knowledge in order to establish a draft routes classification.

Following extensive consultation with all interested parties including the public, the Ayrshire Agreed Routes Map for Timber Transport has been finalised. The Forestry Commission Scotland have provided a GIS version of the Agreed Routes Map of which a CD-ROM version has been produced. The map was launched by Allan Wilson MSP, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development on 24th February 2003 at Dunaskin Heritage Centre, by Patna.

Copies of the Agreed Routes Map are placed in Forestry Commission Conservancy Offices, Forest Enterprise District Offices and the Operational Offices of East, North and South Ayrshire Councils. You may download the Agreed Routes Map in Pdf Format (2,534 Kb) or Image Jpg Format (505 Kb). You can also use the form at the foot of this page to request a publicity leaflet which has the map printed on it.

All Agreed Routes Maps can be downloaded from the Timber Transport Forum website.

A route agreement is voluntary - but has the support of timber industry representative organisations, the Forestry Commission, East Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council as a basis for minimising problems arising from timber haulage on public roads.

The Ayrshire Timber Transport Group will always welcome consultation about timber haulage plans.

It is the responsibility of the owners to contact the relevant Local Authority to determine the status and availability of particular roads. Weight and length restrictions on roads are not shown and users of the maps are responsible for ascertaining whether or not routes are unrestricted.

The owner (or agent) should then advise potential purchasers of any restrictions on requirements relating to the preferred haulage route; this may include a request that harvesting managers contact the local authority to consult with them on the proposed timing of operations.

The map will be formally updated and re-issued annually or when significant changes take place. Amendments to the Agreed Routes Map will be determined by the Ayrshire Timber Transport Group Operational Group.

The Ayrshire Timber Transport Group take responsibility for informing the Forestry Commission of changes and will maintain a register of changes.

The following definitions are used to classify roads:

• Agreed Routes: Those routes that can be used for timber haulage without restriction as regulated by the Road Traffic Act 1988.
• Consultation Routes: Those routes that are recognised as being key to timber extraction but which are not up to Agreed Route standard. Consultation with the Local Authority is required and it may be necessary to agree limits of timing, allowable tonnage etc. before the route can be used.
• Severely Restricted Routes: Those routes that should not normally be used for timber transport in their present condition. These routes are close to being Excluded Routes. Consultation with the Local Authority is required to achieve an agreed management regime to avoid landlocking of timber.
• Excluded Routes: Those routes that should not be used for timber transport in their present condition under any circumstances. These routes are either formally restricted, or are close to being formally restricted, to protect the network. Consultation with the Local Authority is essential.

The Charter was signed by a representative of each member of the group at County Buildings, Ayr on 1st October 2003. The Charter represents a commitment to co-operation between the partners and continuous improvement for road users and residents in Ayrshire.

If you see timber vehicles using routes other than those shown on the map, please let us know. Fill in and submit the form below.

You may use the form below to request a copy of the A.T.T.G. Publicity Leaflet or make any other comments relating to Timber Transport in Ayrshire.

Alternatively, you can email neil.shedden@south-ayrshire.gov.uk or telephone South Ayrshire Council on 01292 612302.