STRATHCLYDE police and the region's roads department are joining

forces in a #190,000 campaign aimed at reducing the casualty toll on the

northern section of the A77 Glasgow-Ayr road.

The 10-mile stretch between Malletsheugh and Fenwick has been the

scene of 26 deaths during the past five years with a toll of 182

casualties, fatal, serious, and minor between August 1987 and July 1990.

The initiative is funded by the Scottish Office.

While welcoming the package the RAC Scotland last night maintained it

was no substitute for upgrading that part of the road to dual

carriageway status as soon as possible.

Ms Susan Nicholson, spokeswoman for the RAC, said: ''What we really

need on this frightening stretch is a modern, separated,

dual-carriageway system and a commitment to a construction timescale for

this and other promised projects in Scotland. The A77 is a recipe for

disaster, however welcome the new measures are.''

Her call was supported by Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Mannion,

Strathclyde's head of traffic, who said: ''However useful this action

is, it must be regarded as an interim measure pending Government

investment in a dual carriageway. There is no substitute for a proper

divided road to link with existing southern routes. The sooner it is in

place the better.''

A draft, preferred line for dual carriageway on the northern section

will be submitted by the Government for public consideration in

December, but drivers face another winter of tackling the existing

inadequate route to and from Ayrshire.

In the meantime Scottish Office engineers granted the region

dispensation to paint double white lines down the centre of the entire

length of the affected section to stop drivers overtaking on the third

lane of the four-lane road.

Often afflicted by bad weather and poor visibility, parts of the top

section of the A77 identified as being particularly accident prone will

be covered with a skid resistant surface and reflecting signs to slow

motorists on the most severe bends.

Marked and unmarked police cars have been operating an increased

frequency of patrols and the force's video unit vehicle will be used to

point out driving faults and in cases of careless and dangerous driving

the film can be applied as court evidence.

Out of the 26 deaths on the 10-mile, undulating connection between

Glasgow and Ayr, 11 happened between July 1990 and the end of last

month. Mr John Marran, supervisory engineer with the region's accident

investigation unit said it had an injury accident rate lower than the

Scottish average for rural A roads.

But the ratio of severe A77 accidents during the period was 67% above

other A roads including dual carriageways, which are statistically less

dangerous than single-carriageway undivided routes, with one or two

lanes running in each direction.

To back up engineering and enforcement measures leaflets will be

distributed to drivers encouraging them to maintain safe distances

between vehicles, remember it is a two-way road, and observe the 60mph

speed limit, which drivers often mistake for 70mph.