Report from the meeting of 28 August 2008
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 Panel's Access Officer reported that Inclusion Scotland are hosting a roadshow in partnership with East Renfrewshire Disability Workers Network (East Renfrewshire Council) on Monday 20th October, 10am – 3.30pm in Eastwood House, Giffnock. The aim of the roadshow is to bring disabled people in East Renfrewshire (and surrounding areas) together with the local authority, health board, councillors etc.
All previous planning applications are ongoing as no replies have yet been received.
New applications include the provision of level access to the rear of premises in Green Street, Ayr (as there is none to the front), level parking spaces near to the entrance to the Black Bull Hotel, Tarbolton, the provision of accessible parking spaces and associated dropped kerbs at road and pavement crossings at Dundonald Care Homes, level access to the proposed dwellings at Lady Margaret Drive, Troon, consideration of accessible parking space and dropped kerb at premises in Prestwick Road, Ayr.
The Panel were informed that Shopmobility bookings for July were 324 and the bus was 134. The flower show service was much appreciated with 106 users over the 3 days. Two Panel members have been officially co-opted onto the committee after another member resigned and will keep the Panel informed with regard to the financial situation of Shopmobility.
With regard to the crossing at Ayr High Street, a Panel member who is a guide dog owner reported that they find it difficult to identify the edge of the kerb since it is ill-defined and requested that this matter should be raised with the relevant department at South Ayrshire Council.
The Panel were informed that the traffic lights at Tesco, Whitletts Road in Ayr have been rephased. Any Panel members who are in the vicinity of Tesco’s are requested to check that the light rephasing has corrected the problem and report back to the Panel if not.
The Panel had requested further details of the Comfort Scheme proposed by South Ayrshire Council as a result of the closure of some public toilets in Ayr. The reply gave details of the scheme being introduced and sent leaflets for the Panel to read which included details of a points system which would categorise facilities according to what amenities individual premises had to offer and the more points premises accrued, the greater would be the recompense received from the Council. Whilst happy with the details given, the Panel will request that the premises assessors bear in mind the requirements of the appropriate British Standards governing accessible toilets and will request that a Panel representative view the first few selected premises to ensure compliance.
It has been brought to the Panel’s attention that there are still problems with the tables and chairs positioned outside Cafe Nero in the High Street. The café has been granted planning permission to operate on the pavement but the barriers are insufficient to prevent visually impaired people from walking into the furniture. Additionally, there is an A-board positioned outside the street café area which presents an additional hazard. These issues will be brought to the attention of the Planning Enforcement Officer.
A consultation meeting was held at the Ayr campus of the University of the West of Scotland. University staff, developers, architects, disabled members and members of the Panel attended. The purpose of the meeting was to inform everyone of the plans for the new building and its associated external areas and to ask opinions of the proposed plan.The Panel members who attended said that the proposals showed that considerable thought had gone into the plans especially in the areas which affected disability issues.
Some time ago, the Panel heard that the Odeon Cinema in Ayr were to introduce audio description headphones for those who may require them but would insist that a deposit of £20 be paid. A Panel member reported that he used the scheme recently and that no deposit was requested.
A new A-board problem has arisen outside a shop called Kitten and the neighbouring shop near the entrance to the Arran Mall. The A-boards are causing considerable difficulties since they are next door to the temporary Shopmobility premises and adjacent to a bus stop.
A Panel member has requested that accessible parking be made available at the Alloway Post Office/Chemist as the nearest carpark is a considerable distance away.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.