Description

The line has been taken roughly by A78T, except where this bypasses town centres. Thus it follows A737 from Irvine to Kilwinning and thence towards Stevenston, where it joins A78T. Then A738 into Saltcoats, B714 round by South Bay, rejoining A738 through Ardrossan and so back to A78T. The 'cut [c]' in the 1827 Act is now B7047 north into West Kilbride, B781 north, where this turns east continuing north on a minor road to rejoin A78T at North Kilrusken.

In the Roads Acts

1767: The road from Irvine to Saltcoats [Turnpike 4].

1767: The road leading from Saltcoats, by Largs, to Kelly Bridge [Turnpike 23. Note that Kelly Bridge is the boundary between Ayrshire and Renfrewshire].

In the 1805 and subsequent acts the two were combined referred to here as Turnpike 4.
1805: The road from Irvine by Saltcoats, Kilbride and Largs, to Kelly Bridge, with a cut [a] from Stevenson, by Crosscraigs to Ardrossan, passing through the parishes of Irvine, Kilwinning, Stevenson, Ardrossan, Kilbride and Largs.
1827: The road from Irvine, by Kilwinning, Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan, below Chapeltown Brae, with a cut [a] from Stevenston by Cross Craigs to the junction with the present road from Ardrossan to Kilbride; also a cut [b] from Saltcoats, passing between the church and manse of Ardrossan to the junction of the cut last mentioned, at the east corner of Ardrossan park wall; and another cut [c] from the bottom of Chapelton Brae by West Kilbride, to the junction of the main road at or near the south end of Kilrusken Wood, passing through the parishes of Irvine, Kilwinning, Stevenston, Ardrossan, West Kilbride, and Largs.

MS Summary

One milepost in Boglemart Street, Stevenson. One milestone in Nineyards Street, Saltcoats. Neither are shown on OS Landranger sheet 70 (1:50,000).

Kilwinning 2¾, Irvine 6, Ayr 17½.

Saltcoats 1, Ardrossan 2½, Largs 14.

Height [not measured].

On N side of Boglemart Street, Stevenston (A738).

Grid ref. NS264419.

Photos DMcC 19th April 2003.

Ardrossan.

Stevenston, Kilwinning.

No distances visible.

Height [not measured].

On E side of Nineyards Street, Saltcoats (B714), close to the railway bridge.

Grid ref. NS248412.

Photos DMcC 19th April 2003.