Report from the meeting of 26 April 2007
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.
Ongoing planning consultation consideration included residential properties in Ayr and Prestwick, a drop in centre in Ayr, temporary WC accommodation at a primary school and a leisure park complex in Maybole. New applications under consideration included a conversion of a former school into dwelling houses, catering establishments in Ayr and residential properties in Ayr and Prestwick.
The Panel heard that the Shopmobility scheme were to introduce an annual registration fee of £10 and that they will be present again at this year's Ayr Flower Show.
The Panel were shown the completed Access Guides for Prestwick and Troon and for Maybole and Girvan, the launch of which is scheduled for mid May. Discussion then took place on updating the Access Guide for Ayr, completed and distributed last year. There was agreement to leave this for the time being.
It was noted that alterations to the Ayr Central shopping development , to improve accessibility, are due to begin shortly and the management of this development have suggested donating the money, thrown into the water feature within the precinct, to the Shopmobility scheme.
The Taxi Driver Forum had raised the issue of Blue Badge use in Ayr High Street. The Forum had pointed out that once a disabled parking badge holder had left a private hire vehicle, it was no longer permitted to be on the High Street. Any incidence of encountered difficulty will be passed on to the Taxi Drivers Forum.
The Panel heard back from Stagecoach buses that lowering of the platform to enable wheelchair access on and off buses can take 7 minutes each time. Stagecoach buses pointed out that the carriage of a wheelchair user on one of its buses may result in the bus running up to 14 minutes late. One of the Panel then reported on a problematic journey from Ayr High St. to Prestwick. This member of the Access Panel had waited one hour and ten minutes and had stopped five buses before successfully boarding a bus using a wheelchair.
The Access Panel are currently investigating disabled WC facilities in licensed premises, crossing points in Ayr High St., and parking of cars in cycle lanes.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.