Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a business for 25 years, only to watch it literally go under because of a simple road repair gone wrong. That's the heartbreaking reality for Toni Dawson, owner of Geraldo's, a beloved seaside shop in Largs.
For the past three years, every heavy rain has turned into a nightmare for Dawson. Water from the A78 road floods directly into her shop, threatening her livelihood and the charming business she built with her mother. But here's where it gets controversial: the culprit seems to be a storm drain, covered over during road resurfacing by Amey, a road maintenance company.
Dawson, who sells artisan ice cream, chocolates, and gifts, isn't new to flooding challenges. Early on, her shop's proximity to the seafront caused issues, but those were resolved with improved sea wall defenses. And this is the part most people miss: the current problem arose after the road was resurfaced in late 2021, covering several storm drains, including one directly outside her door.
Now, even moderate rainfall creates a massive puddle on the pavement, funneling water straight into Geraldo's. Dawson told BBC Scotland News, 'I'm losing sleep over this, constantly worrying I'll walk into a flooded shop after every heavy rain.' She's had to resort to removing stock from the floor nightly and placing sandbags, hoping to prevent further damage.
In a desperate letter to North Ayrshire Council, Amey, and Transport Scotland, Dawson admitted she's never been closer to 'throwing in the towel.' She's reached out to Amey directly, but was directed to contact Transport Scotland instead. Is this a case of bureaucratic red tape delaying a simple fix, or is there more to the story?
Amey has responded, stating they've prioritized a Category 1 repair to reinstate the affected drain and are inspecting another nearby. They acknowledge the impact of flooding and assure they're monitoring the situation. Both the council and Transport Scotland confirm Amey is responsible for the road.
While a solution seems to be in motion, the question remains: could this have been prevented? And what responsibility do companies like Amey have to local businesses when their work inadvertently causes such significant harm? Should businesses like Geraldo's be entitled to compensation for losses caused by such oversights?
This story isn't just about a flooded shop; it's about the resilience of small business owners and the often unseen consequences of infrastructure decisions. What do you think? Is Amey doing enough, or should more be done to support businesses like Geraldo's? Let us know in the comments.
