Council workers are investigating the cause of a sinkhole after the road suddenly collapsed near Springside – with one resident saying the village has been left stranded.

North Ayrshire Council confirmed workers were looking into the large sinkhole – which they say is close to a high pressure water main – and now working with SPT to organise alternative transport provision on affected journeys.

The section of road is expected to be closed for some time with motorists advised to observe diversions while Number 11 buses will divert via the A71 to Crosshouse– which has left commuters in the village having to go to Dreghorn for buses.

One resident, who asked not to be named told the Times, the village had been left abandoned amid safety fears.

He said: “Residents have been abandoned and left to walk to Dreghorn for a bus. There has been nothing done since it happened apart from fences erected around it and gravel delivered.

“Poor lighting in the area is going to leave residents in a vulnerable situation both early morning and evening.

“Someone is going to end up hurt or attacked.

“Also, the fencing is poor. Kids are going to end up in it. A couple of the cones are already in the field – residents feel abandoned and let down.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “We have closed the B7081 Main Road at Springside after subsidence was observed in the road, approximately 100 metres from the roundabout between Dreghorn and Springside.

“Unfortunately, the road will remain closed until further notice while the cause of the subsidence is determined.

“We have alerted Scottish Water as the subsidence is in line with a high pressure water main, and have also updated Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) as bus routes will be affected.

“We would ask road users to check their journey before leaving and observe any diversionary signage while the matter is being attended to.”

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We will be attending as soon as possible to assess what repairs are required and appropriate action will be taken.”

Scottish Water and North Ayrshire Council were both contacted for further updates on the work.