Published: Wednesday, 23rd April, 2008 12:00
Cochrane's Column
By Drew Cochrane
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Kelburn Country Centre were grateful to the Largs 'News' for their assistance.
AMEY contractors who dig up our roads wanted to come to Largs on May Day Monday.
No, not for a holiday jaunt but to stop the traffic coming into Largs on the A78 at its busiest point.
As part of the latest digging expedition Amey were going to run a convoy system for holiday motorists and commercial vehicles. It would have been horrendous. As our regular contributor, community council chairman Ian Murdoch said...”One of the worst possible days, at one of the worst possible places.”
Fortunately, since reporter Calum Corral brought the fact to their attention Amey have changed the schedule - they’ll come back on the Tuesday. Stopping traffic between the Haylie Brae and Kelburn Country Centre is not a good idea.
From Monday, April 28 the A78 is also to be ‘improved’ once more at the Meigle junction on the Largs to Skelmorlie road. Road works must be the most profitable, flourishing business in the country.
Incidentally, Amey’s reasoning for carrying out the A78 patching and resurfacing (this must be an annual event) is that, and I quote..”Largs and Millport are extremely busy during August when the Country & Western Festival arrives in town.”
Yes, August is busy as a prime holiday month like everywhere else in the world but it’s not because of the Millport festival which is confined to a weekend on Cumbrae at the end of the month.
Let me exercise my psychic powers and predict that at some point Amey will close the A78 trunk road altogether and bring us to a virtual standstill. Apparently, they can do this on the basis that if there is traffic on the road a workman could step in front of a vehicle.
David Boyle, of Kelburn Country Centre said: “It would have been crippling to business. Largs appeared in a survey as one of the worst for roadworks in Scotland - it looks like it is going to be the same again this year. However, we are grateful to the ‘News’ for intervening on behalf of the people of Largs.”
Marilyn Green of Largs Initiative said she was glad that common sense had prevailed, but was astounded that Amey told her nothing of the roadworks when the local business group had a meeting with them only weeks ago.
When we first raised the issue with Amey a spokeswoman said: “We are aware that work will be taking place on a bank holiday but this will be restricted to the more rural areas.”
The rural area of the A78? At the Haylie Brae?
ps - We hear the final proposals for Largs town centre traffic will keep taxis at the station and reduce the one-way system.
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Warnings aplenty... But is it fun anymore?