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A £22.68m project to improve and expand a winding single carriageway road in East Renfrewshire will begin early next year, it has been announced.

The road, from Newton Mearns to Barrhead, close to the Dams to Darnley Country Park, will be straightened and a walking path will be added at the side of the reservoir.

The work, on Aurs Road, is set to start on 8 January.

The road will be closed completely for 12 months during construction and diversion routes will be set up.

The diversion routes will be in place via Stewarton Road, Nitshill Road and Darnley Road.

The project will be funded through £12.72m from the Glasgow City Council Region Deal and the rest from government body Transport Scotland.

Reservoir maintenance will also be carried out while the road is closed.

The planned improvements include the replacement of a weak road bridge and the straightening out of two sections of the road.

A 2km (1.25 miles) path that connects the two towns will also be built, which will also link to the country park.

A 4km (2.5 miles) path will also be built around the Balgray Reservoir.

East Renfrewshire Council leader Owen O'Donnell said: "While I appreciate that there will be some inconvenience caused by the road closure, the transformative impact of this project for generations to come will make the end result worthwhile.”