Report from the meeting of 26 February 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.
The Panel were informed that a new e-planningsystem is being introduced whereby all planning applications will be available to view on the South Ayrshire Council web site.
The Panel have been invited to Glasgow Access Panel’s quarterly meeting on Tuesday 3rd March at GCIL, 117-127 Brook Street, Glasgow. The event will consist of an update on the work of the Panel plus two presentations and three guest speakers.
The Panel have received a copy of First Scotrail Disabled Person’s Protection Policy Booklet. This gives general information about accessibility at stations and is seeking feedback on journeys taken. It can also be viewed and downloaded from the First Scotrail web site.
Ongoing planning applications under consideration this month include: request for handrails to the ramp at premises in Berelands Road, Prestwick, the Panel also reqauest that the Turnberry Hotel's proposed revolving doors can be provided with panic collapse facility to provide wheelchair and wide baggage access. Or if the applicant can provide suitable alternative and adjacent access. with regard to the Lochgreen Hotel, Troon, the Panel request that all disabled toilet doors open outwards in to the lobby to maximise space inside the toilets. Disabled parking close to the main entrance was also requested.
Regarding the crossing on Ayr High Street, the Panel were advised that when the tactile paving in the High Street was installed in the early 1990s, they complied with what was then best practice. The reason why the tactile paving stops short of the kerb line in some places is because an area at each humped crossing place was reinforced to serve as a vehicle overrun to be used as a temporary diversion during road repairs. The colour contrast between the footway surface and the tactile paving is not very good and not up to present day standards, but funding does not permit any imminent changes.
The Panel received a letter from SDEF informing us that they have been able to secure financial assistance from the Scottish Government for qualifying Access Panels over a 2 year period from April 2009 to March 2011. It won’t be as great as the funding made in 2004, but the basis on which the funding can be used has been altered to a degree.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.