Reopening of major Ayr road hit with delays as Station Hotel demolition crews come across 'stability problem'

Crews working on the fire-ravaged building have encountered a problem whilst flattening the gable end.

Plans to open a major Ayr road have been delayed after demolition crews encountered an “issue” whilst flattening the Station Hotel.

Station Road Bridge has still not reopened to motorists after being shut down since September’s major inferno at the adjoining Station Hotel.

It’s almost a fortnight since pedestrians were first allowed to pass through the vital route into Ayr town centre. Safety works on the former hotel’s gable end had progressed enough to open up a pedestrian walkway.

However, Ayrshire Live understands that workers at the site have come across problems with the gable end which has prevented them from opening the road.

It was anticipated the road would reopen shortly after the walkway with council chiefs hoping they could get Ayr back open for Christmas.

But crews carrying out painstaking works have had to rethink their approach after fears grew within the site that the eastern section – which faces onto the railway tracks, could be at “risk of collapse”.

A senior source told Ayrshire Live that there were fears over the “stability of the eastern elevation that overlooks the railway line”.

The source said: “They’ve [the contractors] come across an issue. They always planned to take out the gable end then work in the way.

"But they are worried about the stability of the eastern elevation should they remove the full gable end. They’ve now had to change their approach and work in the opposite direction. That’s why the road hasn’t opened yet.”

Bosses insist the council are working “round the clock” to get the road reopen before Christmas. The closure of the road has been a major dent to the town with businesses left struggling due to the dramatic drop in footfall.

Meanwhile, fresh drone images have shown more progress on the gable end of the Victorian structure. Debris has been cleared from the ground floor level as crews continue to assess the crumbling relic.

South Ayrshire Council has been contacted for comment.

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