Report from the meeting of 28 February 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.
On-going planning considerations for the Panel this month include: disabled car parking at Aviation House, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, disabled access to Crossbie Tower, South Beach, Troon, level access to the Piersland Hotel, Troon, accessible toilets at the Balgarth Hotel, Ayr, provision of handrails and level entrances at Forehill Primary School, Ayr and level access at Ploughlands, Dundonald.
New planning applications include: provision of accessible car parking spaces at Floyds Hotel, Ayr, level access at premises in Marina Road, Prestwick, accessible footpath at Townend House, Symington and level access to premises on James Street, Tarbolton.
Shopmobility continue to have problems with funding, with their ammounts being reduced.
A letter is being sent to the Clydesdale Bank in Prestwick to close this matter as teh next step would have involved Court action.
The Panel noted that the brass/metal tactile studs at the Ayr Central development can get slippy when wet. This will be brought to the attention of the developers.
A Panel member reported that some taxi drivers will still not take people in wheelchairs and, even if they do, are unsure how to secure the wheelchair and its occupant, despite having undertaken appropriate and mandatory training in this area.
The Panel has been alerted to how dangerous the crossings at Tesco in Whittlets Road and at the Ayr College roundabout are. This matter is to be investigated.
A Panel member will attend the SDEF Access Panel Conference (30th April at Beancross).
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.