The danger zone
A gaping sinkhole has appeared in Whiting Bay close to the Cooper Angus Caravan Park on the A841 coastal route.
The danger zone was quickly cordoned off after being discovered on a section of the road on Tuesday afternoon.
Prolonged rain and wind over the Easter weekend are thought to have contributed to the deteriorating road surface on the outskirts of the village, but concerns about the state of roads have been ongoing for months.
Whiting Bay residents have complained about the damage to roads including severe potholes and crumbling surfaces causing concern at numerous points on the A841.
The latest incident comes after recent resurfacing work was carried out in the centre of the village, where previous pothole repair work had been ineffective.
The road outside the main shops and cafés had been scattered with debris from the crumbling surface and poorly-filled potholes. This latest large sinkhole is in an untreated section of road. Last week Arran Community Council was urged to ‘oppose in the strongest possible terms’ any applications for major cycling events due to the state of the roads.
Fears had also been raised that there would be a ‘danger to life and limb’ due to the road conditions.
North Ayrshire Council has this week revealed a £990,000 funding package for immediate repair work to the island’s roads. Work will begin this year and continue until 2020.