Longhill in Skelmorlie reopens but work is not complete

There were concerns locally the major access road would not be open in time for schools, which return in North Ayrshire tomorrow (Tuesday).

One of the main reasons that the works have been taking place over the summer months has been in order to avoid the peak period during term-time.

But North Ayrshire Council confirmed it has reopened - but without the road final surface being laid. 

Councillor Ian Murdoch shared correspondence from the council roads department, in which an stated: "I have been advised that the reason the road has not had the final surface laid is due to us still awaiting Scottish Power to carry out disconnections to existing columns.

"There is a chance that when these disconnections are done that they may disturb the road surface, as such we are going to have to delay the new surface being laid until the disconnections are complete.

"The disconnections are proposed to take place at the end of this week without the need for the road to be closed. As such, the road will be reopened this afternoon (Monday).

Longhill to reopen at last after having been closed over many weeks (Image: Ian Murdoch)

"A date for resurfacing will be advised once the disconnections have been completed and our contractor is able to return to site and lay the road surface.

"This delay is obviously regrettable, however the timescale for Scottish Power’s attendance has been out with the council's control.

"With regards the section of road between the drainage channel and the A78 trunk road, this cannot be done just now due to the other roadworks (Scottish Water) on the A78 at present, as resurfacing this area would require further traffic management on the trunk road.

"There are also issues with being able to tie successfully into the trunk road surface, there will need to be discussions with Amey as to the resurfacing of this small area."

Disappointed: Ian Murdoch (Image: North Ayrshire Council)

Cllr Murdoch said he was disappointed that the works had not been entirely completed in times for the schools returning.

He added: "I am very disappointed that the bottom of Longhill, which is in the worst condition, has not been resurfaced and there should have been some kind of plan in place for this work to be carried out, and I will keep pushing for this.

"It had been hoped that both the lighting job and the road resurfacing would be combined so everything was ready and in place for the school term starting but it turns out that this now is not the case."