First round of Ward Capital Projects set to kick off across South Ayrshire

This is an archived article from 30 June 2023. 

At yesterday's full Council meeting (29 June 2023), Councillors gave a range of 'Ward Capital Projects' the seal of approval.   

These projects, which will be carried out during the course of 2023 - 2024, are the first in the series of the £1m capital investment per ward programme that will make a real difference across South Ayrshire.   

At a Cabinet meeting earlier this year (25 April 2023), Councillors agreed a process that would see ward projects identified using current Place Plans and other completed consultations, including charettes. The finalised project list for each ward then went to the Council's Capital Asset Management Group for approval. 

With this process now complete, an initial list of key projects that fall under the capital budget spend category has been drawn-up.    Each £1m ward allocation is from our capital budget, which means that the funds can only be spent on fixed assets or one-time, larger purchases that have a lasting legacy.  This includes things like outdoor seating, play areas and road surfacing.   

Communities the length and breadth of South Ayrshire can expect to see some great improvements in their areas.  Just some of the ward projects that are set to kick off in the first 12 months include the installation of a power supply to the former Lido Swimming Pool in Prestwick to support future outdoor events; the much-needed upgrading of the carriageway of the Newton Shore Promenade; road and footpath upgrades in Maybole High Street; and wider, improved footpaths between Annbank and Mossblown. The Hosiery Park Pavilion in Troon will also be brought back into use to provide changing facilities for football teams and other sporting events. 

Other improvements residents will soon be able to enjoy are new play areas and play park upgrades, new steel park benches and pic-nic tables, and promenade upgrades. 

All of the projects have been specifically identified to enhance our spaces and places and help promote civic and community pride in the area. 

Further funding from other sources including the Place Plan Fund and the Promenade and Shorefront Enhancement Schemes fund means even more projects that improve our towns, villages and rural areas can get underway.  

New LED lighting will be installed underneath the Auld and New Bridges in Ayr*, that will provide beautiful multi-coloured illuminations. A fantastic 'Honest Men and Bonnie Lassies' Walk of Fame will be introduced at Burns Statue Square, bringing a brand-new, year-round attraction to the top of the town. 

Further south, Girvan Regeneration Projects funding will see a range of upgrades throughout the town, including Stumpy Tower Corner, the former bingo hall site in Dalrymple Street and the Rose Garden.  The main thoroughfare will enjoy a facelift, when upgrade works are carried out to the exterior facades of some buildings in Dalrymple Street, Knockcushan Street and Hamilton Street.  Even our feathered friends are set to benefit, as funds have been earmarked to modernise the much-loved aviary and duck pond in the Knockcushan Street Community Gardens. 

A programme of resurfacing works will be carried out along Prestwick and Ayr Promenades and Troon Esplanade to lay each stretch with new, attractive red tarmacadam. 

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Finance, Human Resources and ICT, Councillor Ian Davis said: "We're committed to investing in South Ayrshire as a whole and the first phase of our Ward Capital Projects highlights this. This investment will result in many lasting improvements that can be enjoyed by generations to come." 

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Buildings, Housing and Environment, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: "We want residents to be proud of, and enjoy their areas and our £1m investment per Council ward, plus other identified funding will help us to realise this.  Work on the ward projects will start from next month, so people will be able to see improvements very soon."  

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Developing South Ayrshire, Councillor Bob Shields, said: "I'm delighted that the initial Ward Capital Projects list has been approved. This means it's time to get on with the work so locals and visitors can start to benefit from the improvements.  It'll be great to see these projects take shape all over South Ayrshire." 

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Martin Dowey, said: "It's fantastic that this round of Ward Capital Projects has been approved at today's Council Meeting.  We now have the green light to get to work on making a real visible difference across all areas of South Ayrshire and I can't wait to see these projects get off the ground."  

A full list of approved Ward Capital Projects can be viewed here. 

A report that will identify a comprehensive programme of further capital investment projects between 2024 and 2027, will be brought to Cabinet on 26 September 2023. 

*Subject to all necessary permissions being secured.