Flood-hit shop issues closure warning after drain covered in tarmac

Geraldo's has been a fixture in Largs for about 25 years

The owner of a seaside town shop fears she will have to "throw in the towel" on her business over flooding issues triggered when a nearby storm drain was covered in tarmac.

Over the past three years any sort of heavy downpour brings water running from the A78 road directly into Geraldo's on Main Street, Largs.

Toni Dawson has run the tourist shop for about 25 years but is unsure how much longer she can continue unless a solution is found.

Ms Dawson said the issue dates back to resurfacing work which was carried out by road maintenance company Amey. The firm said it was urgently seeking a solution.

Ms Dawson sells artisan ice cream, chocolates and gifts from the shop, which she set up with her mother.

After starting the business, she had flooding difficulties early on caused by the premises being so near the seafront.

Those problems stopped once the nearby sea wall defences were improved.

But since the road was resurfaced in late 2021, the shop has faced constant issues triggered by extreme weather.

Toni Dawson said the constant flooding concerns have exhausted her

Ms Dawson told BBC Scotland News: "I'm losing sleep over this and worrying that I'm going to walk into a flooded shop every time it has rained badly.

"The resurfacing went over several storm drains, including one directly outside my shop door.

"Ever since then heavy rainfall is enough to create a huge puddle on the pavement at the shop door and the water just runs straight into the shop.

"It's happened three times in the last year alone and these aren't cases where there have been flood alerts, or warnings in advance."

Last Tuesday she arrived at work to find the whole shop "soaking again".

In a letter to North Ayrshire Council, Amey and Transport Scotland, Ms Dawson said she had never been as close to "throwing in the towel" as in recent months.

The shop is constantly forced to use sandbags in case of rain

Staff now remove stock off the floor every night and place sandbags down in the hope it will prevent possible damage.

Ms Dawson said she had spoken to an Amey employee when they were visiting the scene, but had been told to contact Transport Scotland.

The BBC contacted Transport Scotland, North Ayrshire Council and Amey, who said they would try and resolve the issue."

An Amey spokesperson said: "Following a site meeting, a Category 1 repair was raised to reinstate the affected gully, and this has now been issued to our operations team for completion as a priority.

"In addition, a further gully on the adjacent footpath is being inspected as part of our scheduled route inspection, and will be cleared if required.

"We appreciate the impact that flooding can have on road users and local residents, and we are continuing to monitor the area closely while works progress.

"Our priority is to ensure the drainage system is functioning effectively to reduce the risk of further surface water issues."

Both the council and Transport Scotland confirmed the road was the responsibility of Amey.