Report from the meeting of 27 April 2006
South Ayrshire Access Panel meets on the last Thursday in each month and tackles issues relating to making the environment, facilities and services in South Ayrshire available to all its residents.
The Access Panel considered reports on a number of planning applications including nursing / residential home developments in Troon and Prestwick; a Community Centre in Ballantrae; a property in Annbank and commercial premises in Ayr.
Our Pavements are for People Campaign continues at pace, with backing to the South Ayrshire Council pilot scheme for clearing the pavements of Ayr Town Centre of obstructions such as A boards and shop displays. The Panel suggest that any points or complaints concerning pavement obstruction or general condition of thoroughfares be directed to:
South Ayrshire Council,
Head of Infrastructure,
Burns House,
Burns Statue Square,
Ayr,
KA7 1UT,
Tel: 01292 616133
Alternatively, you can use the Contact us form on this website.
The launch of the Access Guide to Ayr Town Centre has been postponed until 31st May as a result of threatened industrial action. Look out for further details in local press and on local radio.
The ongoing issues for the Panel include approaches to a Bank in Prestwick concerning the lack of level access into their premises. The Panel are pleased to commend the Clydesdale Bank in Ayr for installing an audible ATM, of use to blind and visually impaired clients.
Site visits to the new Ayr Central shopping development and to assess crossing safety into Ayr College are planned; in the last instance, with a road safety officer in attendance. The Panel noted that Provost Sloan had raised a number of issues concerning Ayr Central shopping development with the Head of Planning and Building Standards.
Our concerns involving the operation of the newer low liner buses lowering platforms and stopping close enough to castle kerb bus stops, received a very positive response from Western Stagecoach Operations Manager, Mr. McSorland. He would encourage further concerns to be directed to him on 01292 613700. He suggested that this is best done on a day-to-day basis so that he can deal with incidents as they arise.
The Taxi Licensing Monitoring Officer has invited the Access Panel to meet with her to further discuss concerns over the refusal by some drivers to carry wheelchair users and guide dogs.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.