Largs councillor fuming over A78 flood delay repairs

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall told the News of his frustration that roads maintenance firm Amey have had almost month to resolve the matter – and warned that the chances of a serious accident at the location are rising as temperatures drop. Heavy rain at the start of November flooded the A78 near the entrance to Largs Yacht Haven – as well as the nearby car park and the underpass leading to the marina. Amey brought a gritter to the site at the weekend amid concerns that the road could freeze over in the colder temperatures.

Councillor Marshall said: “I can’t understand why this has not been resolved by now. It is an absolute disgrace. “We have known about this problem now for four weeks so why has it taken so long?

The chances of a serious accident on the road are increasing every day. “I think it is appalling for a public authority not to have had this matter resolved much earlier before the winter weather sets in, when it a major trunk road which takes 10-12,000 vehicles per day.”

Cllr Marshall also told the News he had raised the matter with North Ayrshire Council chief executive Craig Hatton and executive director for place Russell McCutcheon in a bid to secure a solution soon. Although the partial collapse of the stone culvert was repaired by Amey, they reported still getting further issues with a blockage in the culvert. An attempt was made to remove the obstruction but jetting equipment, drainage rods with cutters and hooks did not work.

The most recent update from Amey to local councillors came on Monday, when the firm said: “We are pumping the water to try and allow us to get into the culvert to try and remove all blockages, which we believe are large sand bags that were used around the gas main, that have got into the drainage system during the recent storms. “We did not manage to get the levels to go down much in the culvert, but have a much bigger pump arriving, which will hopefully, along with the other two pumps we have, allow us to dry out the culvert and get us access.

“We will have specialist contractors on site again and planned for Wednesday too along with Scottish Gas for any safety issues.”

Amey and Transport Scotland have been contacted for comment.