A YOUNG woman was among at least 12 drivers stranded in one night on the A760 between Kilbirnie and Lochwinnoch after severe potholes damaged tyres.

Claire Mcvarrie, 26, was driving her Audi TT along the road just after 5pm last Wednesday evening when she hit a pothole that punctured her tyre.

Her stepfather Stephen Asbury came to her rescue and was shocked to find other cars on the same road which had also been damaged by potholes.

Stephen, who works at Kerr Baillie in Ardrossan, said: “The roads are just in a hellish state. It’s just a disaster zone. If you go along that road, it’s just craters all the way and it’s actually rutted in parts.

“The pothole damaged Claire’s tyre so I had to go and pick her up. I gave her my car and I waited with hers for the recovery, Dougie from DC Diagnostics, to arrive.

“When we were there we saw two cars across the road parked up, and when we drove back later there were about three cars at the side of the road. There was one car on the grass verge and two cars were up on the lay-by. It’s a daily occurrence cars getting damaged along there.

“There was no way Claire could have avoided that pothole. It’s an absolute disgrace that the roads are like that.”

Dougie McNeil, the recovery driver, told the Herald: “There must have been at least 12 cars the night Claire called us – I certainly counted 12.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “We always endeavour to repair any potholes reported to us as quickly as possible, although the recent adverse weather has made this task more difficult.

“Resources may have to be deployed to clear roads of flood water, snow or ice which, in turn, can extend the time taken to carry out repairs.

“Potholes or any faults on the road can be reported to the council through our call centre on 01294 310000, or through the council website (www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk) or by using the iPhone and Android phone apps”

Councillor John Bell said: “I agree the road is in a very poor condition and the recent flooding has made the situation worse. The section which is in the worst condition is actually in Renfrewshire.

“If a pothole has been reported and the council have not repaired it in a reasonable time, anyone then suffering damage to their car may be able to get compensation for repairs.”