Report from the meeting of 25 March 2010
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.
In the only planning application this month, the Panel contacted the architect regarding the positioning of the toilet pedestal within the accessible toilet at premises in Main Street, Prestwick. He requested that it should be placed on the South wall which would make it easier for wheelchair users to open the door outwards. The Panel also asked about the access at the main entrance stating that the external doors should be arranged to open outwards since opening them inwards may cause an obstruction in the event of a fire.
The funding situation regarding Ayr Shopmobility continues, but the Management Committee will continue to attempt to find funding and provide a service for as long as possible.
A Panel member reported that the contractors have started to narrow the road on Hillfoot Road, Ayr and are erecting temporary traffic lights which indicated that the work would be starting soon.
With regard to the A-board problem in Ayr, a Panel member has sent a letter to the police station asking for their advice concerning this problem in Alloway Street, and if they could spare the time to identify the appropriate legislation and inform him as to what could be done.
The Panel were advised that new bins have been placed in the High Street with cigarette ashtrays attached to the top of them and they seem to be working effectively. But at over £500 per unit these bins are quite expensive to buy. The Council are in discussion with suppliers to see if they can offer a design which provides improved access for disabled users - the Panel will be advised on progress. The Panel were told that, last year, there were 150 penalty notices served and that some of these were issued for cigarette litter.
A Panel member who attended the Citadel for the 4-Ayrshire Panel’s meeting reported that the intercom service was still not working but was informed that it has been ordered to be fixed and the work will be carried out. When asked prior to the meeting if six accessible bays could be “coned off” for visitors to the meeting, a member of Citadel staff stated that, although the Manager would try, there were not enough general parking bays, and a tolerant attitude had been adopted which allowed parking anywhere. The Panel member was not impressed with the Citadel’s access practices and will be contacting them to raise these issues.
Three Panel members attended the meeting of the 4 Ayrshire Access Panels and stated that the meeting went well and that it is always productive to meet with other Panels to see what access issues they are having, how they approach solving them, and to hear their opinions.
Reports from previous meetings - November 2005 onwards - can be found in the News archive.