Future of town up for discussion

Plans to transform Kilmarnock’s town centre and business district will be put to the public.

TGP Landscape Architects, on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, have submitted proposals which focus on four key areas within the town centre: the Foregate, Sandbed Street, an extension of the shopping area and John Finnie Street embankment.

And a public engagement event will take place this Saturday to discuss the proposals.

The event takes place between 2- 4.30pm at the Citizen’s Advice offices in the town’s Foregate Square.

The event will be held in tandem with consultation activity on proposals for improvements to Kilmarnock Bus Station which will be led by Ayrshire Roads Alliance and Smithfindlay architects.

Commercial stakeholders will be invited to have their say on that event on Wednesday, November 15, between 5- 6.30pm at the same venue.

Councillor Jim Roberts, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “The town centre plays a multi- faceted role in the lives of Kilmarnock’s residents.

“Sitting at the heart of the community, it provides a range of places and spaces for people to meet, live, work and enjoy.

“Consultants engaged by the council have produced a range of different proposals for improving these areas and it is important that we get the public’s views on these.

“We will be asking people to vote for the ones which they feel should be prioritised.”

The outcomes from both engagement sessions will be presented to the council cabinet early in 2018.