Council’s motorhome sites still losing cash
South Ayrshire will reduce support from £78k to £17K
South Ayrshire Council’s motorhome scheme has once again made a loss, albeit one significantly lower than the previous year.
Officials will recommend that five of the seven sites in operation remain open, with just one of the three Troon facilities trialled being retained.
In 2023, the council agreed to spend £78,000 on the scheme. This year, the figure is around £17,000
Knockcushan Street in Girvan was the only one of the five schemes trialled in 2022 to make a profit, with income of £3694.
Foreland Car Park in Ballantrae brought in £750 after costs of £15,410. Prestwick Links Road car park brought in £1870, with costs of £19,980 resulting in a loss of £18,110.
There was an overall loss of £38,896 for the five sites.
Last year, there were a number of changes, with a total of seven sites in operation, including trials for three sites in Troon. Less than half made a profit.
Only Ayr Esplanade ( £4023), Knockcushan ( £4512) and Troon North Shore ( £1222) brought in money
However, losses at Barassie Car Park ( £2212), Ballast Bank Car Park in Troon ( £390), The Battery Ayr ( £1853) and The Vennel in Ballantrae ( £5,900) meant there was a loss of £598, albeit far lower than the previous year.
These figures included a total of £4140 in penalty charges, the highest of which was at The Battery ( £1740).
The cost of patrolling and enforcing the scheme was almost £15,000, with 52 patrols taking place.
The report to cabinet states: “The trial scheme covering the three Troon car parks had mixed success with the North Shore Road (Barassie Toilets) Car Park proving the most popular site.”
Despite making a loss, the Barassie Toilets site had a higher income than North Shore Road Car Park, which made a profit thanks to lower running costs.
Officers have therefore recommendeed that the North Shore Road and Harbour Road Ballast Banks sites to be removed from the scheme, with the Barassie Toilets site becoming a permanent site.
They recommend a reduction in the spaces available at The Battery, from 25 to 10 along with trial part time waiting restrictions between the hours of 11pm and 7am along the remaining section of the pier access road.
While the Vennel car park in Ballantrae made the biggest loss, officers say that there is still enough of a demand to merit keeping the facility.
The report continued: “The two permanent sites in Ayr and Girvan continued to be the most well-used facilities with the trial site at the North Shore Road (Barassie Toilets) Car Park proving to be the next most popular destination.
“The Battery, Ayr was proposed for inclusion in the trial as it was considered a desirable location for motorhomers.
“The location was not well used and concerns were raised over the course of the summer from people prevented from parking in the area to access the pier.
“Esplanade Car Park experienced the same issues as previous years with car enthusiasts causing anti-social issues within the car park.
“We received many complaints concerning cars speeding through the site and noise disturbance with many patrons feeling unsafe.
“The Vennel Car Park Ballantrae, as in previous years, was underused and further complaints were received from the local community in relation to the siting of the black waste disposal tank.”
Another issue raised was the method of payment, which could only be made online. Overseas visitors whose bank cards had no expiry date were impacted as the system required this information
The report states: “Consideration will be given to the introduction of additional payment options.”
The Cabinet considered the proposals this week.