"Put up and shut up" - that is what residents living next to the Ardrossan Campus building site feel they are being told.

Initial work to remediate the site, on Ardrossan's North Shore, began almost exactly a year ago.

Since then, those neighbouring the area say that living at home has become almost unbearable - and nothing is being done to address their concerns.

One resident in particular contacted the Herald. Lynn Hyslop says she has particular, urgent, questions she needs answered.

Lynn's daughter Georgie was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2023, aged just 15 - with her story first reported in the Herald when the inspirational youngster began fundraising for other going through a similar situation.

The teen has since been told their is no evidence of disease, but her health has been - and still will be for the coming months - affected by the battle.

So Lynn has been particularly irked that her concerns, which are particularly unique, have continued to fall of deaf ears.

“It’s causing a lot of stress at a time where we should be able to relax," she commented.

"As soon as Georgie finished treatment we came home to major traffic and a huge amount of supplies being delivered to the site on a daily basis - passing my property.

"Now there are major roadworks right outside, causing noise, pollution and spreading dust on a daily basis."

(Image: Billy Windsor Kinnen)

Lynn says that she, along with other residents, have repeatedly asked for assurances to be provided by North Ayrshire Council, and work contractors RJ McLeod - though to no avail.

She continued: "I have yet to have any care consideration given to Georgie’s health and recovery process.

“It’s all residents that are being effected, however Georgie’s situation is more unique and our property is being affected left, right and centre.

“Georgie’s immune system is still very low and, although she’s no evidence of disease, she still needs to be at a hospital within an hour if her temperature spikes.

“Until she gets all her immunisations again, which is in January, chemo has affected her hearing which is now very sensitive and she’s wearing ear defenders in our house.”

The matter is even more concerning for Lynn and other residents as work is expected to be taking place for years to come.

The new Ardrossan Campus building is not anticipated to be open until August 2026, at present, with construction due to last until June that year.

That date has already been subject to a year-long delay from when the plans were first announced.

And as the ongoing work is so lengthy and complex, Lynn knows that resolving the issues surrounding this for residents would not happen overnight either.

She said: “It’s not a quick fix either. The works will be going on for years and the council are just hoping that residents will just put up and shut up!

“Georgie is raising money to be an advocate for other people’s health and we’re having to fight for her health to be considered.

“The council are passing the buck to RJ McLeod, but it’s the council that are instructing them of the works that have to be done - regardless of the noise levels and time it’s taking to be carried out.”

(Image: Submitted)

Shortly after the Herald raised Lynn's concerns with the council, contact was made with her in regards to her concerns.

Though the concerned mum says that no new information was disclosed. Instead she was just given 'justification' that measures of mitigation already in place are 'enough'.

Lynn said: “They have just reiterated all that they do - which they think is minimising stress levels. It’s not them that are staying right next to it.

“They are not taking any consideration into the fact that these works started in November.

“It’s been particularly bad for us since July, and after these road works are at the front, there’s more coming to the back of my property.

"They have not said anything at all that helps our situation."

The contact Lynn had also included a visit from environmental health to measure noise levels outside her home. 

"They took a reading of noise at 2pm, then the really bad noise started when she was gone at 3pm," Lynn added.

She has since been offered a meeting with the council and their contractor to discuss matters further.

Responding to the concerns, North Ayrshire Council continued to emphasise the measures in place to mitigate disruption for local residents.

A spokesperson said: “We are extremely sympathetic to the family’s circumstances and hope Ms Hyslop’s daughter makes a full recovery.

"We have been in communication with Ms Hyslop recently to outline the measures in place to help mitigate the impacts of the works on local residents.

"We are also hoping to arrange a further meeting with Ms Hyslop and the contractor R J McLeod where we can discuss any outstanding concerns.

“We do of course understand the frustrations of Ms Hyslop and other residents as any development of this scale and significance has an impact on local people.

“A range of mitigation measures continue to be implemented by our contractors to minimise the impacts as far as possible.

“These include:

  • Constant on-site noise, dust, and vibration monitoring measures
  • Odour and dust suppression measures
  • Implementation of a Traffic Management Plan including measures to reduce the impact of vehicle movements and engagement with hauliers
  • Regular review of risk assessments and associated mitigation measures

“We continue to work closely with the project team and contractor to further expedite and prioritise the opening of the Barr Street entrance.

"This aims to help relieve the impact of the works on residents living in the vicinity of Glenlight Way and reduce the number of vehicle movements through this area.

“The council’s Environmental Health team have also visited the site on several occasions, most recently on September 3, 2024.

"At no point during these visits have they measured a noise level which exceeded the recommended guidelines.”

(Image: Submitted)

A final concern of residents was also addressed.

Lynn said: “Residents have expressed concern that due to the traffic passing the play park, the play park that we pay for is being closed until at least March 2025.

“We pay factor fees for our residential area to be kept tidy and this is what’s outside our property at the moment.

“I have called for our factor fees to be paid and backdated to the start of these works but we are being ignored.”

North Ayrshire Council say that this is a "private matter" so the council cannot intervene.

A spokesperson commented: “The playpark is not in the ownership of the council and as such we have no remit to close this.

“The closure of the playpark would therefore be a matter for residents to raise with the factor directly.

“Regarding the potential for compensation relating to factoring, factoring fees are a private matter in terms of the title conditions between the factor and the residents.

"In addition, North Ayrshire Council has had no approach from the factor in connection with this.”