Ayrshire: Flooded shop and pub in Largs in 2007

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North Ayrshire Council were investigating claims in January 2007 that the new Largs flood defensive barriers had been overcome by heavy storms and seas on New Year’s Eve.

The Scottish Executive had launched the new flood defence scheme two years earlier, pumping in more than £1 million in a bid to protect the town.

But the Hogmanay storm resulted in the the tide coming up Bath Street and Main Street, flooding several properties, particularly Sugar and Spice sweet shop and The Clachan pub.

Ronnie Small, North Ayrshire Council's head of roads, said: “The flood defence is designed to cope with wind and tide from the south-west and the west. The wind was from the south west.

"Our flood prevention team are still analysing how the defences coped that day and will make any changes if they are needed.”

Mr Small claimed that the new sea wall had prevented major flooding.

However, a local marine expert slammed the failure of the system.

Mr John Riddell, a former district councillor, said a full investigation needed to be carried out into why the project failed.

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Scottish Water’s controversial decision to ignore a planning rejection could result in seagulls carrying and spreading dirt from open tanks.

This was the warning given by David Pearson of Quarter Farm when addressing North Ayrshire Council about moves to open the sewage works uncovered.

However, in the midst of the busy festive period, it was announced by Scottish Water that they would carry on with their plan to open the sewage works without lids.

Largs Community Council and Skelmorlie Community Council had both lodged objections to North Ayrshire Council regarding the removal of the lids - and their concerns were backed by the local authority. 

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A tree came down in the grounds of the Garrison in Millport and was resting on the wall at the side of the drop in centre in College Street, with the result that the road had to be closed.

Stones littered many streets on the seafront as a result of the New Year storm, and ferry services were disrupted over the weekend, but there was no disruption to the electricity supply.

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THE chairman of Fairlie Community Council suggested a TV licence boycott might be the way to improve local reception following a New Year signal blackout.

Local councillor Richard Wilkinson was also going to seek answers behind the poor analogue television reception which resulted in no pictures for three days over the holiday period.

Community council chairman David Telford said: “There have been complaints about the TV reception in the local area. Many people did not have reception from Hogmanay until January 2."

Mr John Riddell said: “The problem is a failure of electricity supply. The supply of electricity is contracted out by ScottishPower to another private company, who I don’t think are performing. This is the fourth or fifth time that it has happened.”

Mr Riddell said that Scottish Power should be addressing the problem.

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Largs police were cracking down on drivers who they believed were taking advantage of special parking privileges.

Local officers told members of Largs Community Council that they were now increasingly scrutinising drivers parking at the “bottleneck” of Aitken Street.

They warned that those leaving their vehicles outside the likes of Woolworths and Hallidays the chemist risked being ticketed and fined for failing to adhere to Blue Badge guidelines.

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Pictured below are the lads of Largs Academy rugby squad who took part in a schools’ rugby tournament at Ardrossan.

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Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne knew exactly where to look for the finest in village talent at Wemyss Bay Primary’s recent ‘X-Factor’ competition - as youngsters performed some classic hit songs on their last day of school before the holidays.

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Little Adrian Redden of Largs, below, won this reindeer toy on display at the ‘News’ stall on Yuletide Evening after correctly guessing its birthday - April 22.

The toy was provided by O’Really’s Cafe in Ardrossan and all proceeds raised went towards the Largs Initiative group.

Pictured with Adrian and Rudolph is mum Lyndsey on left, and ‘News’ receptionist Esme Plummer.