Open up Riverside plans
I agree with architect Pat Lorimer that the proposed Council Office Project should be open to Architectural Competition similar to those outlined in ‘ The Architects Journal’.
With the use of computer aided design software such as AutoCad a wide variety of designs could be handled including 3D submissions and I would definitely use the ‘ erase’ command on the current proposal.
James K. Fullerton
Council sums are wrong? Having seen a lot in the Post on this proposed development I decided to look at the facts of this according to the council’s website this proposal will cost £ 11 million pounds factually incorrect according to the council’s own figures
It will cost £ 13,351,913 million spread over a three- year period , so the bottom of Ayr High St , becomes a building site for that period with all the disruption that goes with that. The proposal is to relocate the council staff from Burns House into it if and when completed and demolish Burns House in 2022 at a cost of £ 1,260,000 million, again turning the top of the town into a no go area for a period of time all in all this one development will cost not only £ 14,611,913 million pounds but untold disruption to both ends of the town but also but also £ 3.6 million more that the figures they have quoted in their press, so to relocate 350 odd staff it will cost an eye watering £ 41,748 pounds per employee. There is a bold option if the council is brave enough to think outside the box by entering into leasing buildings with surplus office space rather than expensive new build I can think of two such sites one is the former tax office at King Street, and the other is Wallacetoun House John Street next to the Jobcentreplus as two thirds of that has been empty for years . This option would allow the council to purchase the Station Hotel perhaps to redevelop if it cant be saved and give them two prime town centre sites at the top and bottom of the town for future development ,
Ian Stewart, Thornyflat Road Ayr
Universal Credit failure I’ve just had my first payment I waited for about five weeks for it.
When you go to the job centre to verify who you are then you sign up when that happens your housing and council tax benefit stops they say your rent costs will be in with your payments but they don’t mention council tax. When I received my first payment I was in arrears with my rent and council tax I went to council to pay my rent I paid a fortnight rent which left me with no money for energy bills . I have a small pension from my husband after he died that was taken off my amount of Universal Credit ( UC) I was left with not enough to feed myself and keep my house going. I’m left with £ 8 a day to do everything. I do have PIP and if it wasn’t for that I would be in serious debt my PIP is to help me live my life a bit easier but it is now a big part of paying housing costs to keep me as debt free as possible I can’t see how this UC will work the only thing it will do is put people on the streets to beg then the government will have nothing to do with them so more money for them to line their pockets it’s a shambles the old system worked just fine why change it, there is nothing for the likes of me who can’t work because of illness but have to search for work and apply for jobs I know I can’t do, does that sound right to you? .
Name and address supplied
Ardrossan ferry plans I would like to clarify a couple of points in your story ‘ New Arran ferry set for Troon as Ardrossan drowns in turmoil’
Along with our partners on the Ardrossan Taskforce, North Ayrshire Council, Peel Ports – Clydeport, Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets ( CMAL) and Transport Scotland we are working to ensure the future operational effectiveness of Ardrossan in support of lifeline ferry services. This includes looking at work required to make the harbour more operationally effective. This may require a temporary move away from Ardrossan while work is carried out. Detailed feasibility studies are currently being undertaken into the suitability of the various options open to us in the event that is necessary. Once these are concluded these options will be presented to Transport Scotland for consideration. No decision has been made as yet on whether a temporary move will be necessary or where it will be to. Anything reported to the contrary at this stage is speculation.
Robbie Drummond, Managing Director, CalMac Ferries Ltd
Traffic lights mystery I am not sure what purpose the traffic lights at the junction of Laughlanglen and Maybole Road Ayr serve.
Traffic approaching this junction from The Loaning when seeing the lights on red, take a sharp and speedy turn left into Taybank Drive and zip along at excessive speeds hence why Taybank Drive is no longer a pleasant residential area. Children walking to Alloway Primary School or Belmont Academy are not safe and action is required urgently before there is a serious incident.
Name and address supplied