STV NewsAn Ayrshire coastal road has suffered “widespread cracking” due to Storm Boelo, with Amey warning drivers against using rural roads as a shortcut.
The A78 Meigle Road, which runs between Wemyss Bay/Skelmorlie and Largs, had been closed since it sustained damage from large waves which overtopped the sea defences on Sunday.
Amey, which manages the south trunk roads, says the carriageway now has “widespread cracking” and the road surface has shifted after a section of the sea wall was washed away.
Investigations and emergency repairs are continuing at the worst-affected locations, and the structural and geotechnical assessment of the carriageway is ongoing.
However, Amey is unable to provide a reopening date, with the road causing major headaches for drivers in Ayrshire.
This week, school pupils from Largs Academy who live in Skelmorlie faced a one-hour-and-40-minute bus diversion, while a normal journey via the A78 would take 15 minutes.
Following backlash, it was confirmed that buses would be allowed to use a convoy system along the A78, reducing journey times.
Access is limited to residents, carers and emergency services vehicles, while general traffic is not permitted.
A signed diversion remains in place via the A761 through Kilmacolm to Johnstone, A737 to Kilbirnie, the B780 and B777, and the A760.
Rural road alongside A78 should not be used as shortcut, says Amey
Amey is also warning against using the route that includes Routenburn Road, Brisbane Glen Road, and Meigle Road, a single-lane rural road running alongside the A78.
There have already been reports of larger vehicles becoming stuck and blocking the road, which is meant for residents, agricultural vehicles, horse riders, walkers and cyclists.
A spokesperson for Amey said: “We know how disruptive this closure has been for the communities of Largs, Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay, and for families in particular.
Google Maps“Getting the school buses through safely has been a priority for the team this week, and we are pleased that the escorted arrangement is now running.
“The safety of the children is paramount, and we will monitor every run and will not hesitate to suspend the service if we have any concerns.
“The road itself remains closed to general traffic because the damage affects the seaward side of the carriageway and the sea wall beneath it, and until our engineers have confirmed that the road and the ground supporting it are stable, it is not safe to allow traffic onto the affected sections.
“Our teams are working to reopen the road as quickly as it is safe to do so, and we will confirm the position as soon as we can.
“In the meantime, we would ask drivers to follow the signed diversion, which has been agreed with operational stakeholders as suitable for all types of traffic.”
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