A KILWINNING councillor has warned that a new retail park will cause traffic chaos and is urging residents to have their say.

Councillor Joe Cullinane fears that the new Ashenyard Park development, which is in Stevenston next to Kilwinning Fire Station, will cause havoc for drivers at peak times on an already busy stretch of road.

Cllr Cullinane wrote to Transport Scotland a number of months ago raising concerns that the new road layout would cause traffic problems, particularly at peak times.

Amongst his concerns were that the new right turn filter lane, into Ashenyard Park, approaching Pennyburn Roundabout from Kilwinning would see traffic pushed back further down Stevenston Road, Kilwinning whilst any customer of the Ashenyard Park businesses looking to turn right towards Pennyburn Roundabout would find it impossible to do so at peak times.

Cllr Cullinane is set to meet with Transport Scotland chiefs at the site but before he does, is asking residents to come forward with their views on the current road layout in place for the development.

So far almost 150 people have responded to Cllr Cullinane’s request for views on Facebook and he is now asking others to do so.

Speaking about the potential chaos Councillor Cullinane said: “I know that the new road layout is already causing some problems and Ashenyard Park isn’t fully open for business yet. The problem is only going to increase when it does.

“I envisaged this happening as soon as I saw the new road layout and I raised my concerns with Transport Scotland. I will be meeting them on site soon to discuss the matter and I am looking for as many views as possible from local residents so that I can raise the communities concerns and any suggestions people have for making the layout better.

“That almost 150 have responded so far shows there is widespread concern and I am asking for others to get in touch so their views are heard too.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “This main road is the responsibility of Transport Scotland.

“It would be a matter for them to consider making junction alterations if they feel there is now an issue with traffic caused by the Ashenyard development and new road network.”