East Ayrshire Council have said that 'short repair timescales' was the reason drivers were left to judge a busy Cumnock crossroads on their own.

Traffic lights in Cumnock adjoining Auchinleck Road, Lugar Street, Barrhill Road and Newbridge Street were out last night due to an emergency fault.

Rather than temporary lights being put in place until the issue was resolved, signs were put up to warn drivers that the traffic lights weren't operational.

The issue caused some confusion and some near misses, with cars and lorries coming down from Barrhill Road and meeting traffic coming across from Auchinleck Road.

Engineers fixed the issue earlier today, and the lights were back in operation by 12.05pm.

A statement from East Ayrshire Council confirmed to the Chronicle the reason why nothing else was put in place.

It read: "The Ayrshire Roads Alliance was made aware of damage to the signals yesterday and an emergency fault was immediately reported to the Alliance's signals contractor.

"Engineers attended the site this morning to install a replacement pole. The signals were operational by 12.05. 

"Due to the short repair timescales and mindful that there were alternative pedestrian crossings on Tanyard and Barrhill Road, signs were put up alerting drivers and pedestrians that the signals were out of use, rather than installing temporary traffic lights."