Funding received from the Scottish Government’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Projects is to be used to further enhance facilities in South Ayrshire.

In December 2003 the Scottish Government allocated the Council funding of £192,000 for the financial year 2005/06 for the development of Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Projects. From this funding £62,000 will be used to create safer streets by introducing lower speed limits in urban areas, and £130,000 will be used for cycling and walking initiatives.

The Council has also been allocated funding for further projects of this kind, £194,000 for financial year 2006/07 and £199,000 for financial year 2007/08.

The Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee has approved a number of projects that will be carried out using the funding.

Convener of the Committee, Councillor Robert Campbell said: “It is wonderful news that the Council is to receive further funding for exciting projects that can make a difference to peoples lives.

“The Scottish Government has highlighted their desire to see innovative projects for cycling and walking projects, and this is what is happening in South Ayrshire.

“Public consultation has shown how popular cycling is, and the cycle routes already established are well used, and full statutory consultation will be carried out as required when the projects are progressed.

“Nowadays everyone is being encouraged to take some form of regular exercise. By providing safe walking and cycling routes I hope that residents and visitors to South Ayrshire will use them to keep healthy, and enjoy the magnificent scenery that surrounds us.”

When considering projects for the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Projects, consideration was given to the aims and objectives of the Council’s Intergrated Local Transport Strategy and analysis of road accidents over a 5 year period where people had been injured.

The following initiatives will now be progressed:

McCreath Park, Girvan - £50,000
Girvan does not benefit from the National Cycle route, as National Cycle Route seven goes inland at Maybole and misses out on the potential of a very picturesque route along the shorefront at Girvan, similar to that in Ayr Prestwick and Troon. The National Byway Route does enter Girvan via Golfcourse Road and continues south through Girvan along The Avenue.

By providing a designated cycling route in Girvan, it is hoped that recreational cycling and walking activities would increase. The first phase of the proposed route would form a loop to the north of the harbour and would link into the National Byway route, which lies to the east of the town. The construction of this route would enable access to the National Byway and the route could be expanded in the future. It would complete a very attractive local loop and give National Byway users the opportunity to detour onto an extremely attractive alternative route.

The proposed route would provide safer designated cycling and walking access and would potentially encourage walking and cycling activities.

River Street, Ayr - £40,000
The National Cycle Network Route 7, as it travels southwards through Ayr town centre, is routed along Main Street and then along River Street where cyclists dismount over the Auld Brig into Ayr High Street.

The National Cycle Route then directs cyclists along South Harbour Street to the Ayr esplanade. At present this section of the National Cycle Route 7 is sign posted only and proposals are underway to formalise the National Cycle Route with dedicated cycle lanes. Phase 1 of the works was completed last year and new dedicated cycle lanes have been formed along the National Cycle Route as it routes along South Harbour Street.

It is now proposed to formalise the National Cycle Network as it routes along River Street where cyclists then dismount over the Auld Brig and gain access to Ayr High Street. Works were also undertaken last year to provide a high quality cycle parking shelter in the High Street to link in with the National Cycle Network Route.

Enhancements to Existing Cycle/Walking Network £40,000
South Ayrshire currently provides approximately 192km of cycle routes, of these there are 26km of dedicated cycle paths and 166km of sign posted road only cycle routes.

There are a number of sections of the existing cycle network route that would benefit from enhanced improvements such as additional signage, further delineation measures and enhanced short feeder connections. Similarly enhancements to improve pedestrian safety at localised points on walking routes will be identified and prioritised.

The Safer Streets initiatives are very important as the risk of accidents and the severity of injury to casualties, particularly pedestrians, increases as vehicle speeds increase. The introduction of 20 mph speed limits, the reduction from 40 mph to 30 mph, and the use of safety cameras has all helped towards a greater acceptance by some motorists of their need to drive at safer and slower speeds in towns and villages.

The Executive is funding, through a separate programme the introduction of 20 mph schemes near school. This has generated a demand from the public for similar 20 mph schemes in residential and retail areas. Safer Streets funding will be used to address the demand by:

Developing a Speed Management Plan for all urban areas - £5,000
This plan would show suggested 20, 30 and 40 mph speed limits for all towns and villages in South Ayrshire. Consultation on the suggested speed limits would be carried out before developing a more detailed proposal. A Speed Management Plan would help in providing a more co-ordinated and consistent approach to the provision of safer speed limits that could be introduced over coming years as the various funding permits.

Prioritising request for 20 mph areas - £50,000
This would be done in accordance with the Council’s 20 mph speed limit policy and the highest priority schemes would be implemented. The Council will continue to proactively develop the use of mandatory 20 mph zones and limits and that it prioritise them based on crash and casualty records, traffic flows and speed and the surrounding environment.

Introduction of a 40 mph speed limit - £7,000
Introduction of a 40 mph speed limit on the A759 at its junction with the B730 at Dundonald.

March 2005