A VITAL Cumbrae road which links the island’s ferry slip to Millport is to be repaired and then resurfaced next year.

The state of the B896 from the ferry slip to the ‘white house’ has been criticised by residents and tourists.

At the height of the summer season the road is used by thousands of drivers every day, with hundreds of cyclists also using it to get to and from Millport.

The road has been plagued by potholes and verges that have fallen away in recent months.

Following discussions at Cumbrae Community Councillor, Cllr Ian Murdoch has confirmed that patching work will take place in the next few weeks, and a total repair will come next year.

He said: “I have raised the condition of the road on numerous occasions to officers at North Ayrshire Council.

“I talked to the chief executive and it has been confirmed that workers will be onsite in the next few weeks and will patch up the road.

“I have also been assured that the road will be fully resurfaced as part of next year’s budget, which could be any time from April.

“The council will also be fixing a number of blocked gullies around the island in the coming weeks, and workers will attend to these as soon as possible.”

Cllr Murdoch believes the road creates a bad first impression for visitors as soon as they step off the ferry.

He explained: “I felt it was really quite dangerous. There’s no doubt it needs immediate attention.

“Even for locals going back and forward it is not ideal, and it has been a raised by a number of local people recently.

“I am glad that the repairs will be carried out immediately, although I am disappointed the full resurfacing won’t be until next year’s budget.”