Concerns raised over major A78 road closure in Largs

The first phase will see the A78 between Morrisons roundabout and May Street being closed between 8pm on Friday, October 18 and 8pm on Sunday, October 20.

During this time, there will be no access to Irvine Road from Gogoside Road, Lovat Street and Scott Street. Access to Irvine Road will be maintained via Bankhouse Avenue.

Additionally, there will be no access to Charles Street and John Street from Irvine Road, and local access to the town will be maintained from the north and the south.

Temporary traffic lights will be in operation at Morrisons roundabout between the hours of 7am and 7pm on both Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20.

For phase two, the A78 between May Street and Haylie Brae will be closed on October 20 and 21 between 8pm and 6am each night.

Local access to the town will be maintained from the north only. Traffic management will be removed by 6am on Tuesday, October 22.

Resident David Rollo has written to Amey and Transport Scotland outlining his concerns.

He said: "To close the whole A78 for a whole weekend and require a 53 mile diversion for those travelling to Largs from the south is frankly ridiculous.

"The stretch of road which is to be worked on has at least four viable diversion routes, that would add only a matter of yards to the journey. 

"This would require the work to be done in stages and perhaps a small length as a split resurface but the limited extra difficulty for your staff would be minor.

"This planned diversion will hit local trade, which relies heavily on weekend visitors, and make life very difficult for local residents."

He has called for the matter to be re-examined in order to improve the situation.

Cllr Ian Murdoch is looking for clarity concerning access during road closures (Image: Newsquest)

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch said: "I am glad that the works are finally getting done as they were supposed to be getting done earlier this year at the start of the tourism season and we agreed to put them back to now, but I still have many concerns about people's access.

"In phase one, is Anthony Road and May Street still accessible for southbound traffic, and traffic coming from the south?

I am still trying to get clarity on that, as it certainly doesn't look possible in stage two resulting in the lengthy diversion.

"May Street is not supposed to have heavy vehicles on it because of the weight tonnage with the vehicles but cars should be allowed to use it.

"And phase one suggest that cars will still be able to move about in the lower part of the works but I am trying to find out if this is definitely the case.

"If you live in Fairlie or West Kilbride and you need an opticians appointment, how do you get in as the buses won't be running so can you still get in with a car as there will be no buses running?

"How does the petrol station and other businesses in that area manage to operate? And what about accessing the Haylie Brae?"

Amey and Transport Scotland have been contacted for comment.