Plans to reshape Ayr town centre are facing renewed questions over proposed cycle lanes, with further consultation expected before South Ayrshire Council decides what should be included in the £19.9 million Accessible Ayr project.
The scheme is intended to change roads, crossings and public spaces in Ayr and nearby areas. It includes walking and cycling measures, alterations to traffic movement and parking, and improved links with public transport.
Councillor Alec Clark told the council’s cabinet that concerns raised by businesses earlier this year had not been properly reflected in a report considered by members. He said the report had previously been deferred because of objections to the proposed cycle route in Alloway Street and at Sandgate.
What is proposed for Ayr town centre?
The project was divided into two phases by the cabinet in August 2024. Phase one covers areas mainly south of the River Ayr, while phase two covers areas to the north. The designs remain largely similar to those approved at stage three.
Changes are proposed at the Fort Street, Fullarton Street and Sandgate junction, as well as on Alloway Street. Fort Street North, between Sandgate and Citadel Place, would become one-way northbound, while signalised crossings would be changed.
A bi-directional cycleway is proposed on the east side of Alloway Street. Disabled parking spaces and loading bays would move to the west side, and a signalised crossing would be moved further north, closer to the High Street.
The Accessible Ayr programme is currently expected to continue beyond the planned 2028 completion of the Burns Statue Square project. A report considered on September 22 recommended further design work, additional consultation and changes to the delivery plan. It also recommended extending the study areas for the first two phases and retaining Accessible Ayr within the Ayr Town Centre Framework.
Businesses and residents raise concerns
Local businesses and residents raised concerns during the latest consultation about how the cycle lanes could affect the town centre. Councillor Chris Cullen said he had spoken to shop owners and residents in Sandgate and Alloway Street who were unhappy with the proposals.
“We understand a lot of work has gone into this and it's important to Ayr to have investment. However, this document was deferred at the last cabinet because concerns were raised about the cycle route in Alloway Street and the Sandgate. The report has not been updated. We are still sitting with cycle lanes in Alloway Street and Sandgate and we still have the same concerns.”
Jane Corrie, from Ayrshire Roads Alliance, said the latest consultation had been extensive but stressed that the process needed to be carried out formally rather than through social media. She also warned that removing the cycle lanes could put Transport Scotland funding at risk because the funding bid was based on active-travel criteria.
“The last round of consultation was extensive. It's important we do it through proper consultation and not just on social media. The Transport Scotland funding is based on certain criteria and it's based on active travel. If we remove the cycle lanes then there's a chance they may not support that funding bid.”
Construction could be split into four phases
The estimated construction cost for phase one is £19.9 million. Transport Scotland has said additional approval, including a full business case, would be required if more than £5 million were spent in one financial year.
To avoid that requirement, the council and Transport Scotland have agreed to divide construction into four phases, each costing less than £5 million annually. This could extend the overall construction period but reduce disruption in individual parts of the town.
Further consultation is expected to gather more information from Ayr businesses and residents before decisions are made. Council chief executive Stephen Penman said that consultation was the essential next step before deciding what may or may not be included.
