Ayr: Woodfield Avenue
Junction Descriptions For Kilmarnock & Ayr
The following is the Glencor Driving School instructor's interpretation of various junctions. Due to these being interpretations, they should not in any way be considered as legally binding.
Note: - The Ford on Dean Road is not on the test routes but does require some clarification.
Ayr
Kilmarnock
Don’t drive too close,
I’ve just learned what a footbrake is for!!!
NEVER assume that traffic in a one-way street will be travelling in one direction.
Have lost count of how many I have met!
Even met one trying to enter the M77 via an off slip road!!!
Portland Road to South Hamilton Street, Kilmarnock
Portland Road to South Hamilton Street
For this junction it is important to move into the correct position for turning right when approaching along Portland Road.
Note the position taken up by the red(1) car while waiting for a gap to turn. The diagram has lines added to show how to judge your position using the white lines of the oncoming lanes and the lanes to your right.
While in this position the red(1) car is not in the way of the oncoming cars that are turning to their right and not in the way of the oncoming cars that are traveling ahead.
Also, in this position the driver of the red(1) car can more easily see past the oncoming cars that are turning to their right therefore more able to assess when there will be a safe gap to turn.
This junction also has a green filter arrow which, only at certain times, illuminates after the green circle has been on for a designated period of time. When this happens, the oncoming traffic receive a red light therefore when they slow to stop the red(1) car should turn if the junction is now clear.
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Faulty traffic lights i.e.
not working at all.
Treat as a give way junction.
Glencairn Square, Kilmarnock
Glencairn Square
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
When approaching Glencairn Square to turn right, and from the direction indicated by red(1) car in the diagrams, the point at which to move over to the next right-hand lane is dependent on the traffic situation as you approach.
Diagram 1
The red(1) car must continue in the left-hand lane until it passes the chevrons before moving over into the next right-hand lane. This is because the area before the chevrons was designed for the oncoming traffic to turn right into the road which is now closed. Also, there are no obstructions preventing the red(1) car from travelling beyond the chevrons before moving over.
The right turn signal should be applied just as you reach the far side of the junction before the square. Also, just before moving over after the chevrons, look in your right door mirror again, for any vehicles that may have moved over before the chevrons.
Diagram 2
You will note that the red(1) car has moved over to the next left-hand lane before the chevrons. This must be done if there is a space in the next right-hand lane, after the chevrons, for a vehicle and the left-hand lane is queued back beyond the chevrons.
Note: - before continuing as shown in diagram 2, make sure there are no oncoming vehicles attempting to move over into the area that you will be travelling through before the chevrons. Although the road to turn into is closed drivers have attempted to turn.
The right turn signal should be applied just before moving over to the right.
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Holehouse Road to Grassyards Road, Kilmarnock (Just along from Kilmarnock College)
Holehouse Road to Grassyards Road
(Near Kilmarnock College)
Due to road works during October 2007 this junction does not now require clarification, therefore I have removed the diagram and the description from the website.
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The Ford, Irish Bridge, Dean Road, Beansburn, Kilmarnock
The Ford, Dean Road, Beansburn
(Although labelled as Ford, this road serves as an Irish Bridge construction and is not actually a Ford)
To start with, lets only look at the islands on one side of the ford e.g. the two islands on the left of the above diagram.
When approaching the ford only single file traffic can flow through between the islands.
There is a sign indicating that traffic approaching the islands (to cross the ford) should give way to oncoming vehicles.
At the other side of the two islands, traffic leaving the ford have a sign indicating that they have priority over oncoming vehicles.
The give way and the priority signs only refer to the islands, not the ford. The ford is a single carriageway road i.e. two way traffic, therefore, if there are any oncoming vehicles but you can pass through between the islands and return to the left-hand lane on the ford without causing the oncoming traffic to slow or change direction, then you should continue and simply pass the other vehicles on the ford just like any other standard single carriageway road.
Also, the ford is marked with a centreline thus indicating two lanes for traffic, not one side at a time.
Note: On approach to the ford, you must not continue through between the islands if this would cause the traffic leaving the ford to slow down for you.
So why the islands?
These are simply designed to slow the traffic on approach and when leaving the ford. Without them vehicles could inadvertently travel across the ford at excess speed. This would be dangerous for several reasons, one of them being the paths that lead to the roadside at either end of the ford where pedestrians, cyclists, etc. can cross over the road.
What if the river overflows the ford but the ford can still be crossed? In this situation most drivers prefer to drive across in the middle of the ford road therefore it is usually better to wait until the ford is clear of oncoming traffic before you start to cross.
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Woodfield Avenue, Ayr
Woodfield Avenue
As you travel along Woodfield Avenue you should note that the junctions to the side streets are lined with a single broken line only.
This single broken line is not a give way line (double broken lines indicate give way).
Therefore, when traveling along Woodfield Avenue, you should slow as you approach to pass side roads so as to be aware of any other road users (traffic) that may be emerging onto Woodfield Avenue from the side streets.