The North section of Irvine High Street will be closed for 12 weeks in the New Year with the public realm work expected to be finished in March.

Major works have been put on hold over the festive period but will resume when the contractor returns to the North section of the High Street from January 6, 2020 with this section closed for approximately 12 weeks.

Resurfacing works will then take place on High Street South.

Last week Bank Street was re-opened after a 10-week closure with widened pavements, new and improved paving and street furniture.

All but one of the bus shelters have been restored and are now operational, excluding the northbound one on High Street North, with the taxi rank back in use after complaints from drivers about the sudden move to a temporary location.

The Burns footpath artwork, alongside the information plaque, outside the Carrick has been installed, while trees have been planted on the High Street with additional planters being installed.

The majority of the street furniture is now also in place. Work is still to be completed on new signage to capture the area’s rich heritage.

North Ayrshire Council’s Caitriona McAuley, Head of Service (Economic Development and Regeneration) said: “We recognise that these works have taken time and we thank everyone for their patience.”