Report from the meeting of 30 April 2009
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.
New planning applications under consideration by the Panel this month include a proposed heli pad at Turnberry Hotel. The intermittent paving with grass infill surface would make it difficult to push wheelchairs or an amblance trolley. In addition, the ramp gradient is too steep. The proposed ramp at a propperty in Forehill Road, Ayr, does not meet the Scottish Standards minimum width specification of 1.2m (being only 1.0m).
The Panel were advised that Mervyn Toshner is no longer the link officer for Shopmobility as the Social Work Department is now the “parent” Department and have appointed Maryum Ali as the new link officer. There are concerns that the former premises and car park at the Kyle Centre are not in good order for Shopmobility's return.
With regard to the crossing in Ayr High Street, the Panel were advised that the humps would hopefully be rebuilt this year and that there may be tactile paving strong enough for over-running.
The Panel were pleased to note that the satety barriers arround the tables outside Cafe Nero in Ayr High Street had been errected in accordance with the Panel's request.
It was brought to the Panel's attention that obtaining blue badges from the premises in Kyle Street, Ayr presented problems as these are not accessable and there is no lowered counter.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.