Accessible Ayr Unveils Designs For Town Centre Plans
Ayr residents and business owners are being invited to voice their opinion on enhanced streetscape designs for Ayr town centre following feedback from an initial survey which reported that 64% of respondents felt that the proposed changes will positively impact on footfall to the town centre. This project is part of a developing Ayr Town Centre Framework. The framework will be the subject of a consultation later in the year.
Accessible Ayr is an ambitious project by South Ayrshire Council and Sustrans to significantly improve the town centre, making it a vibrant and more attractive place for people to visit and enjoy, as well as make it easier to access by pedestrians and cyclists, and join other active travel routes.
Funding has been made available through the Places for Everyone programme, an active travel infrastructure fund backed by Transport Scotland and administered by Sustrans.
As part of the project, a series of business and public consultations are required to help determine the vision and the design plans for change.
The public will be able to provide comments and view the proposals in person on Thursday 9th November from 2pm until 7pm and on Saturday 11 November from 12 noon until 4pm at Ayr Central Shopping Centre on Skye Square. The plans can also be viewed online from 6th November, with the opportunity to comment, at accessibleayr-swecouk.hub.arcgis.com.
An initial survey sought the views of businesses and residents located on the streets that will be impacted including High St, Sandgate, Kyle St, Alloway Street, Newmarket S, Fort St, Carrick St, John St, Station Rd, Smith St, Burns Statue Square, River St, Main St, King St, Allison St, Barns Crescent, Wellington Sq, Pavilion Rd and Miller Rd.
Key concerns included uneven pavements, accessibility, public transport issues, litter, empty shops, and a lack of independent retailers.
If successful, the project could generate significant benefits for Ayr town centre and will help attract additional investment as part of South Ayrshire Council's developing strategic framework for the town.
Councillor Bob Pollock, Economic Development Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: "I am delighted that these designs balance the needs of all users. Vehicles would still be able to access Ayr Town Centre as they do at the moment, however walking or wheeling in the town will be safe and a much more pleasant experience. I would encourage anyone living, working or accessing Ayr Town Centre to have their say either at the events or via the website."
Daniel Prince from Sustrans added: "The proposals being put forward as part of the Accessible Ayr project will hugely benefit people walking, wheeling and cycling, but also anyone travelling through the town centre by making it a more attractive and enjoyable place to be. We strongly encourage all local residents and businesses to take part in the consultation and share their views!"
The consultation will be open for comment until Monday 4 December.
Further details are available from accessibleayr-swecouk.hub.arcgis.com/ or by emailing lesley@streets-uk.com or calling freephone 0800 987 5990.
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