It is hoped improvements will be made for the next Fairlie road closure in the spring after a number of issues during the recent road resurfacing which closed the A78.

Brian Flannigan, owner of the Village Inn, said he believed that local businesses suffered losses as customers were turned away after being told that businesses were closed when this was not the case.

It was also reported at the recent Fairlie Community Council meeting that some residents were able to access their homes as promised, but others including carers were denied access.

Councillor Ian Murdoch had previously met with Transerv to ensure the necessary local access, and was disappointed that this was not given.

Convoys were agreed to give access for residents, but these were not consistently run across the closure period.

Fairlie Community Council chairman Rita Holmes said that consultation was poor, adding that the weekend date selected in order to avoid a closure over the working week which would have affected commuters.

Cllr Murdoch and Fairlie Community Council committed to raise the problems with Transerv prior to the next A78 closure likely to be March/April 2020 which will be between The Causeway and Kaim View.