Largs couple say they have faced 'dog's abuse' from drivers

Grandparents Willie and Diane Mullen say the issue of access to their Townhead Close home, one of the oldest houses in the town, has been a problem for several years.

Their home is located next to the site of the town's new M&S Foodhall development.

They say they were assured by contractors working on the M&S building that the narrow access road leading from Main Street to their home would not be used as a car park.

'No Waiting' cones were put in place by North Ayrshire Council at the access road entrance last week, following the intervention of local MP Patricia Gibson.

WIllie points to wall where car fumes have shown up from parking in close (Image: Newsquest)

But the Mullens say the cones have been repeatedly moved by some drivers and ignored by others.

The couple said they came in for "shocking verbal abuse" when they asked drivers to move their vehicles to allow them access to their own driveway.

The Mullens also say the area has been used as a site for fly-tipping - with dumped items including a flat screen TV and a three-piece sofa.

Willie said: "There are days when I can't get out of my own driveway, and I have to go and ask someone to move. Then I get dog's abuse.

"The council put 30-40 cones out, but these motorists just move them. Some even drive over the top of the cones and get very close to the wall.

"The reaction I get is 'there is no sign up, I will do what I want'."

Willie said he'd been told by the council that a sign will be put up telling other motorists that access is required on the road at all times. 

Diane added: "It has become a daily nightmare with the abuse

"We have been asking the council to remove the flytipping but they tell us it is private ground, but when we contact Marks and Spencers we have got nowhere."

North Ayrshire Council's planning committee granted a 'stopping up order' for the close at the end of the close, paving the way for construction to start on the M&S project.

The site contains the access from Main Street to Townhead Close, a small, adopted cul-de-sac, and the rear access to an additional residential property on Waterside Street.

As part of the work, the only access to the close will be through the food store's car park, shutting off the close from the public road network.

The 'stopping up order' will mean the road no longer forms part of the public roads network but will be retained for private access.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We understand the concerns of the residents and will look to have fencing erected next week to separate the road access from the parking area. We hope this will keep the access road clear.

“However, the area directly next to the house where the cars are parked is privately owned and we don’t have any powers to stop access to this area.”