UK health and safety law alert: The M77/A77 Girvan Traffic Order and its implications for business continuity and road transport

The M77/A77 Trunk Road Girvan Temporary Prohibitions of Traffic and Temporary 10mph Speed Restriction (No. 2) Order 2026 and UK health and safety law implications for business and supply chains

What has changed

The M77 and A77 trunk road in the Girvan area are subject to a new statutory order titled The M77/A77 Trunk Road Girvan Temporary Prohibitions of Traffic and Temporary 10 mph Speed Restriction (No. 2) Order 2026. The order introduces temporary prohibitions of traffic and a maximum speed limit of 10 mph on the trunk road. It is a regulatory measure implemented under UK road traffic and safety provisions and affects all users of the trunk road, including commercial vehicles, contractors and service fleets. Businesses should plan for potential disruption to road transport and delivery routes in the affected corridor.

Why it matters for UK health and safety law and regulatory compliance

Temporary traffic restrictions on key arteries can shift risk profiles for fleet operations. The restrictions increase the likelihood of delays and slower speeds can affect stopping distances and driver fatigue. Organisations must ensure their road transport risk assessments reflect the altered traffic conditions, maintain clear driver instructions and verify compliance with the new limits. This aligns with UK health and safety law expectations that employers manage risks to employees, including drivers and contractors, when planning and carrying out transport activities. Consider engaging with local highway authorities for accurate closure information and communicate changes to transport providers and customers.

What organisations should do next

To align with regulatory compliance and HSE requirements, undertake the following actions

• Review the current transport risk assessment and update it to reflect the temporary restrictions and speed limits
• Revisit route planning and scheduling to avoid restricted sections during peak times and ensure delivery windows still meet customer expectations
• Update driver instructions and communication materials to reflect the new traffic conditions and safety expectations
• Check contractor and supplier arrangements that rely on the affected routes and confirm adherence to traffic restrictions
• Update management systems such as ISO 45001 health and safety management to capture this change in risk and controls
• Consider using telematics and route optimisation tools to monitor compliance and performance
• Coordinate with Synergos Consultancy for risk assessment updates, competent person support and training if required

The approach should be proportionate to risk and proportionate to the scale of the business, with ongoing monitoring and evidence keeping as part of governance.

In addition, maintain awareness of further official advisories and ensure contingency plans are in place for supply chain continuity. For practical guidance on systematic control of workplace risk and legal compliance, see ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management.

Engineered controls and good governance remain essential under UK health and safety law. Align your response with your existing risk management framework and ensure staff training and performance monitoring reflect the updated operating environment.

Strong stakeholder communication, including with drivers, suppliers and customers, will help minimise disruption while protecting safety and legal compliance.

The temporary nature of the order emphasises the need for timely action and active monitoring of road conditions and closure windows. Proactive planning now reduces risk and supports resilient operations.

Ensuring documentation and evidence of compliance will support regulatory scrutiny and ongoing assurance under the UK health and safety regime.

For practical support with health and safety risk management during transport operations, you may consider health and safety support packages or health and safety training.

Short wrap up: The M77/A77 Girvan order is a live example of UK health and safety law in action and requires practical planning and disciplined execution to keep people safe and routes reliable.