Residents have been left in the dark for too long about street lighting problems, and lessons will be learned, a councillor has said.

There have been repeated delays to festoon lighting repairs in Largs and Millport, and street light maintenance in Largs and Fairlie.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall has been investigating the problem, and it is hoped that the long running issues will finally be resolved by Christmas.

The council has an extensive programme for installation of LED lighting and in some cases new lamp posts, but some areas have been missing out.

NAC will write to affected residents to apologise for the delays.

Cllr Marshall said: "In terms of the replacement lighting at Brisbane Glen Road, Douglas St, and Brisbane Street, this project has been subject to various issues which have impacted the original programme to a severe degree. The matter was brought to my attention in May 2016 although I believe the works had started the previous year.

"After discussions with Building Services, an action plan has been agreed with additional external contractor support. The timescale for completion of these works has been repeatedly revised but I am assured that they will be complete before Christmas.

"A number of lessons have been learned by both Roads and Building Services, in what is still an early period for the in-house service resource, and I trust future works will be addressed, programmed and delivered to a suitable timescale and standard."

Regarding the festoon lights in Millport, Cllr. Marshall reported the problem to the council in May, and the new lights arrived in time for the September illuminations event, but again suffered problems.

Cllr. Marshall said: "Clearly there was insufficient time allowed for testing of the circuits when they partially failed for the Illumination Weekend. Perhaps the council should have had an electrician on the island or on call during this weekend to deal with further potential faults. It appears that the equipment supplied was of a different specification to that ordered."

And in Largs, despite promenade illuminations being replaced just a few years ago, more robust lighting is required to suit the seafront conditions of the area.

Cllr Marshall said: "I have been assured that the Largs Prom lighting will be also switched on for Christmas. The plan is to have them lit throughout the evenings all year as this will help to drive off any moisture ingress and extend their life.

The materials used throughout the new installations on both Largs & Millport are of improved specification which should ensure their longevity.

Bay Street in Fairlie also suffered much publicised delays to street lights. The works included the erection of new lighting columns and the excavation of trenches to install a replacement cable network to each lighting point.

After completion of the main installation works, arrangements were made by Scottish Power for electrical disconnection of the old units. However, this delay proved to be longer than anticipated before the main lighting contractor could return to remove the old units and fully reinstate the final excavations.

Councillor Marshall said he is pleased to confirm these works have now been completed.