MP says no return to House
Stay away from coast warning
MP Allan Dorans has refused to return to London tomorrow to vote after blasting demands to travel as “total madness.”
House of Commons Leader Jacob Rees- Mogg has told MPs they must come to Westminster in person instead of making their voices heard remotely.
Mr Dorans said there is a danger of spreading the coronavirus from travelling to the capital.
The Ayr, Carrick and CumnockMP has decided to stay in Scotland and continue working from home.
He saidL “This is total madness as it goes against the Scottish Government’s advice not to travel and to work from home if possible to continue to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives.”
The RNLI has issued an important safety warning following the first phase of the easing of lockdown.
They are urging others an easing of lockdown does not mean an instantly safer coast and warmer waters.
Callum Govus, Coxswain/ Mechanic of Girvan Lifeboat, is asking the public to be mindful of their surroundings and to stay safe.
He said: “We are asking people to still stay local, don’t drive to visit the coast.
“We cannot be everywhere at once, if we see a sudden increase in people visiting Girvan and surrounding beaches our volunteer run service could struggle to meet demand
“If you’re a local then please stay aware of the inherent risks, please be aware of your surroundings; weather, tides etc.”
Another £ 600,000 is being spent to keep scaffolding around Ayr’s Station Hotel.
The annual renewal of a safety contract has been agreed, which will see the crumbling pile encased until at least 2021.
South Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Government will share expenses on the “encapsulation.”
It comes as the long running impasse continues between officials in County Buildings and the hotel’s owner, Eng Huat Ung.
A Dangerous Building Notice has now been in place on the site for two years.
And the prospect of any short term progress continues to look bleak.
Commuter facilities at the station remain drastically reduced with large parts of the concourse roped off.
And one senior councillor fears the future of the station itself could now be getting put at risk.
Martin Dowey, leader of the South Ayrshire Conservatives, said: “We need to get all the stakeholders who have a vested interest in the Station Hotel including the owners, Network Rail, ScotRail, the Scottish
Government and the council together and decide the best way forward for it.
“The people of South Ayrshire deserve and need a properly functioning station.
“Because if the ongoing situation with the hotel is not brought to a conclusion soon, I’m afraid we will be left with no station as the building, in its current state, is fast approaching the end of its life.
“And the cost of the scaffolding to the council is unsustainable in the long term.
“So I would urge all parties involved to agree to meet urgently to try and resolve this impasse.”
A council spokesperson said: “An agreement has been reached between South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Government to equally share the costs of the scaffolding and encapsulation from May 1.”
In February the Post reported how fears were raised that the Station Hotel could be beyond saving after it emerged that scaffolding can remain in place for another FIVE years.
That was the concern of campaigner Esther Clark, who originally wrote to Scotland’s Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, for answers.
She was told the issue was a matter for Transport Scotland.
In a reply she was told it was down to South Ayrshire Council to determine whether the hotel should be refurbished or is beyond repair.
And that the hotel might stay encased in a white dome for another five years, according to Transport Scotland.
We will be left with no station as the building in its current state is fast approaching the end of its life