A threat by islanders to set up a human blockade — again — at a section of road at the southend may be lifted with the matter now regarded as an emergency.
They say they are sick and tired of the appalling state of the A841, particularly at Levencorroch between Kildonan and Kilmory where it is subsiding into the field below.
Recently red and white traffic cones were placed in the area of subsidence but locals say they are not satisfied.
North Ayrshire Council local roads officer Richard Wright said on Wednesday: ‘I have looked at the area and put more cones out. An engineer will be over to examine it tomorrow and it has been put on the emergency list.’
He added that he was disappointed no one from the southend had alerted him to the problem. He said: ‘Campbell Laing, Arran community council chairman, brought this to my attention last week. It implies that we are negligent but this will not be a cheap job. It requires careful planning.’
In March 2000, around 100 residents took the law into their own hands and blockaded the road at the same spot after saying they were fed up with sending polite letters to the council about the potentially dangerous state of the road. Police dispersed the blockade but the protesters said they had made their point.
Extensive repairs followed with the installation of large gabions underpinning the road, but now it is subsiding again.
Kildonan resident and community councillor Alistair Yates told the Banner: ‘The people are sick and tired of the condition of the road at the southend. They have closed it before and it looks as though they are prepared to do it again.’
Arran police sergeant Bob MacKay said officers would be ready to deal with a blockade if it were to happen and urged people to act responsibly instead.
‘Rather than direct action, they should go through the proper channels with the roads authority,’ he added.
Campbell Laing said: ‘This stretch of road needs a permanent solution but the community council cannot condone civil disobedience by residents blocking the road.’
