SEASIDE SHOCKER
Fury over plan to ban motors from town esplanade
Controversial plans to ban cars from Ayr seafront have sparked fury.
Tory leader Martin Dowey blasted ‘no-go’ zone proposals for vehicles in the town’s esplanade.
He stormed: “It is absolutely mental. Shutting off the esplanade is not the best idea the council has come up with. We should encourage free parking in all towns.”
A bid to close the road at Ayr seafront to cars is underway.
Council officials have proposed banning vehicles from entering the esplanade to make it easier for people to stay apart
.They want to make more room for cyclists and walkers to enjoy the beach after landing £510,000 funding to support physical distancing temporarily.#
The coast road is often packed with cars belonging to visitors. It was also heavily used by Wellington Square workers during office hours before lockdown.
Blasting the idea of making it a no go zone for motorists, Tory councillor Martin Dowey said: “It is absolutely mental.
“We are trying to recover from Covid and encourage tourism.
“Shutting off the esplanade is not the best idea the council have come up with.
“We should encourage free parking in all the towns.”
A consultation has been launched with mixed responses so far. Vehicles would not be allowed on the street, which runs alongside the Low Green between Pavilion Road and Blackburn Drive.
SNP councillor Siobhian Brown, responsible for tourism and the economy said: “As we enter a new “normal” we all face more restrictions on ourselves such as wearing masks and socially distancing.
“I would be very hesitant at this time whilst we are adapting to the new norm to impose further restrictions such as closing down streets around schools and closing down Ayr beach esplanade which would displace traffic to local residential areas.”
Councillor Brown encouraged people to have their say and welcomed the funding to widen footpaths and provide signs.
The proposal is part of a Scottish Government funded scheme called Spaces for People managed by Sustrans.
Residents have until October 30 to comment. So far there have been more than 230 comments including a few calling for motorhome overnight parking on the coastline.
One person who welcomed the traffic clampdown said : “This would be a significant improvement and encourage bike use in the area.” Another wants the road permanently closed to traffic.
Other measures being considered to boost physical distancing in South Ayrshire include traffic bans at some school streets.
To have a say visit: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/consultations.
We should encourage free parking in all towns