IMPROVING Ayrshire’s roads and transport network is key to transforming the local economy.

That was the message from Ayrshire’s transport chiefs at a special summit in Kilmarnock last Friday.

The event was organised by the Ayrshire Growth Deal team as they cranked up the pressure for fresh investment from the UK and Scottish Governments.

The Growth Team deal are looking for around £350 million to help support a number of transformational projects across Ayrshire.

And key to the future growth of Ayrshire is local roads, transport links and improvements to rail, ferry and air travel.

Stewart Turner, Head of Ayrshire Roads Alliance, said: “The Transport Summit was our opportunity to outline the huge potential for Ayrshire and how investment in an improved transport network will help us achieve that.

“We need to improve connections across Ayrshire, Scotland and then the UK which will see quicker journey times for people and businesses using our road. It’s vital we have better quality, more accessible and affordable choices for the public.

Caitriona McAuley, head of Economic Growth for North Ayrshire Council, added: “We were delighted to meet with some key stakeholders to help develop the case for investment in Ayrshire.

“To have a strong, robust and thriving economy we need the transport infrastructure to support it. The two go hand in hand.”

They were joined by around 100 guests at the event at the Park Hotel.

They spoke about some of the potential projects for Ayrshire which include:

• A737 Kilwinning to Howood road improvements

• B714 Link Road Improvements

• Improvements to rail, to ferries, to air

The event was opened by Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, who said: “For Ayrshire to achieve the economic growth it aspires to we need to have a 21st century transport network which is agile enough to accommodate future growth and to ensure Ayrshire maintains its competitive edge.”

Councillor Ian Cochrane, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and the Environment, said: “Ayrshire is in a really enviable location with access to travel by air, road, rail and sea and we need to ensure that we maximise all of these to their fullest potential for the benefit of our businesses, our economy, our people and our communities.”