Report from the meeting of 30 March 2006
South Ayrshire Access Panel meets on the last Thursday in each month and tackles issues relating to making the environment, facilities and services of South Ayrshire available to all its residents.
The Panel welcomed Provost Winifred Sloan to this and future meetings as representative of South Ayrshire Council.
The Panel discussed recent applications for Planning Permission; including proposed alterations to hotel premises in Ayr, a flatted development Somerset Road, Ayr and nursing and residential homes in Troon and Prestwick.
The South Ayrshire Council campaign to remove unnecessary shop obstructions from Town Centre pavements continues to be successful and has the full backing of this Access Panel.
The long planned and awaited Access Guide to Ayr Town Centre is currently being printed and due for being launched around the end of May. This publication - compiled by this Access Panel - gives a guide to the accessibility of commercial and public premises within the centre of Ayr, with particular reference to disabled people. 4,000 copies of the Access Guide have been ordered, together with 300 copies in a format suitable for the visually impaired. Copies of the Guide will be distributed to Shopmobility, the Disability Resource Centre, Libraries in Ayr, hospitals and GP surgeries, the Tourist Board and South Ayrshire Disability Forum. Watch this space for news of the launch of the Guide!
The Access Panel have managed to secure an agreement from First Scotrail that the almost non-existent pedestrian crossing at Ayr railway station will be upgraded and that staff will attend to vehicles left parked on the crossing. Will review this one again!
Ongoing matters under Access Panel consideration include: acessibility to a bank in Prestwick and a hotel in Troon, the new Ayr Central shopping development and encouraging bus drivers to lower the floor on the new low liner buses, when needed.
Remember that anyone may report their concern with footpath obstructions or hazards, and road problems in South Ayrshire by telephone on 01292 612302 (24 Hours). This can significantly speed up information reaching the right department and hopefully an effective remedy!
Note that faults relating to trunk roads (A77 and A78) should be reported to AMEY Highways on 0800 028 1414. They also have a web link: - South Ayrshire Council roads maintenance
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.