Wemyss Bay couple ask council to take on 'danger road'

June and Brian Thomson, who live in one of the Kellybank Cottages, are urging the local authority to assume responsibility for the road which stretches up from the A78 Shore Road right up to Kelly reservoir.

Over the last few years, the single-track route has developed deep gouges and potholes through its centre, and there are sections which have wide ditches at either side.

The road is part of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and is on the Kelly Cut walking route, and investigations carried out by the Thomson's solicitor have revealed it is unadopted. 

June and Brian now want Inverclyde Council to take the road on and make it safer for drivers and walkers. But the local authority say that they cannot intervene.

It says the road is 'privately owned by numerous parties' and landowners, and must be 'brought to an adoptable standard' before they can act.

But June, 57, says they should be 'embarrassed' that an area which is part of a national walking route is in such terrible condition.

She added: "It's a well-traversed and very public road and it's in a terrible and dangerous state of disrepair. 

"It's an accident waiting to happen. 

"Our friends and family ask us to come and pick them up at the bottom of the road because they hate driving it and don't want to damage their cars. 

"It's terrible to see a road in such a beautiful part of Inverclyde in such a state."

The route starts just off the A78 and runs past Fingall Burn, past Kellymains Farm, past Kellybank caravan park, Kellybank Inn, and Kellybank Cottages. 

The Thomsons' solicitor states the two caravan parks (Parkdean and Kellybank) own the solum of the road - the soil or ground beneath the road upon which the road is built - but not the road itself. 

Brian said he has captured dashcam footage of the dangerous route and fears it's only a matter of time before there's a serious accident. 

He added: "Cars have ended up in ditches. 

"The road is undermined at the sides due to the water coming off the hills. 

"If a lorry comes along, there's only one way for the other car to go, and that's right into the ditch. 

"It's used by the public and it's a danger to the public. 

"The council are shirking their responsibilities by ignoring it."

June submitted a Freedom of Information request to Inverclyde Council asking for information on how many unadopted roads itl had taken on over the last 15 years.

She claims the council refused her request and says she has had no communication from the local authority since. 

June has now written to every Inverclyde councillor appealing for help with the perilous pathway. 

June and Brian are concerned that the condition of the road will deteriorate even further as more people head to the picturesque area in the spring and summer months. 

June added: "It was never meant for thousands of the thousands of journeys being made on it every day.

"As more cars and lorries make the journey, it's going to get worse for walkers as well. 

"We should be able to have a good, safe passage into this beautiful open countryside." 

June and Brian are urging the council to reconsider and accept responsibility for the route.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: "The road is privately owned by numerous parties and would need to be brought to an adoptable standard by the landowners before it could be considered for adoption by the council.

"Until such time as this happens, the landowners remain responsible for the ongoing maintenance and condition of the road. 

"We have explained this directly to Mr and Mrs Thomson and provided as much advice and assistance as we can, including to engage directly with the landowners to try and resolve any issues with maintenance or ongoing access."