New transport hub plan for town
Ayr entry point to be redrawn under vision
ayr’s bus depot, left, and railway station are set to be torn up and rebuilt side by side if new plans are given the green light.
a shiny newly constructed bus terminal would be shifted half a mile across town to Burns statue square. and the historic train station would be prised apart from the station Hotel and rebuilt as a modern stand- alone hub.
the dramatic vision, which is only one of the options being considered, would also see a chunk of the hotel knocked down and the remainder converted to homes.
the multi- milllion makeover of the town’s transport infrastructure depends on businesses such as stagecoach and scotRail buying into the idea.
Folk had the chance to see the ideas from ayr Renaissance at a public exhibition in the town Hall last week.
Depute council leader Brian Mcginley said: “this is a good opportunity to get on and regenerate ayr town centre which is badly needed.”
Ayr’s bus depot and railway station are set to be torn up and rebuilt side by side if a new vision gets the go ahead.
A shiny, newly constructed bus terminal would be half a mile across town to Burns Statue Square.
And the historic train station would be prised apart from the Station Hotel and rebuilt as a modern standalone hub.
The dramatic vision, which is only one of the options being considered, would also see a chunk of the hotel knocked down and the remainder converted to homes.
The multi- million pound makeover of the town’s transport infrastructure depends on businesses such as Stagecoach and ScotRail buying into the idea.
Parkhouse Street, which is home to a number of high- profile estate agents, would be pedestrianised in one option.
And the dual carriageway A70 leading from the Market Inn roundabout into the town could become single lane in either direction.
Folk had the chance to see the ideas from Ayr Renaissance at a public exhibition in the Town Hall last week.
Ayr Renaissance chair James Knox said: “We want to give everyone the chance to have their say on the masterplan for Burns Statue Square.
“Nothing is written in stone. We have just begun the consultation process.”
A council spokesman said: “We’re at the start of a process looking at options to regenerate Burns Statue Square and the Affleck’s block site, one of Ayr’s hidden gems behind the town hall. Some initial options were pulled together for the consultation last week, however we’re keen to hear more ideas from the public, so we’re looking at additional exhibitions in the near future.”
Depute council leader Brian McGinley said: “This is a good opportunity to get on and regenerate Ayr town centre, which is badly needed. There are multiple issues that need to be addressed and we need all stakeholders to put the interests of Ayr first and foremost.
“These are ideas that we can work with and shape to make Ayr better. But these improvements will only happen if we all pull together.”
Consultants Ironside Farrar have been working on designs.
Concerns have been mounting over the future of Ayr’s railway presence as the state of the Station Hotel continues to deteriorate.
The hotel owners have been told to carry out essential maintenance by the council and were slapped with a dangerous building notice.
There are still question marks over the future of the Odeon amid speculation it could move to another location in the town.
Office building Burns House has been labelled as not fit for purpose and is due to be demolished.
But the new replacement building plans for the bottom of the town have been knocked back – throwing the office relocation timescale off.
The timeline and budget for the Burns Statue Square makeover has not been released.
Stagecoach and Network Rail did not reply to Ayrshire Post requests for comment before our deadline.