South Ayrshire Council secured funding of £245,000 from SPT, the regional transport partnership, to fund three key projects intended to improve transport in South Ayrshire.

The projects are:

• £60,000 for bus stop improvements.
• £60,000 to improve local cycle network facilities.
• £125,000 to part fund a new variable message sign (VMS) parking system for Ayr.

The improvements to bus stops were carried out between August and October this year.  A number of locations for improvement were suggested and officers developed a list of sites with priority being given to providing access to key community facilities.  The upgrading of some bus stops included the installation of new ‘kassel’ kerbs to allow passengers easy level access from the footway when they enter or leave  buses.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Convener of the Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Committee said:  “The Council has made providing level access facilities at bus stops a priority and it has achieved this along the main transport routes and in other key locations. 

“It is very important that public transport is accessible to all so the funding has deliberately been used to improve bus stops at healthcare locations and other locations where many people with mobility difficulties use bus services. 

“The Council will continue to work with partners in the bus industry and the regional transport partnership to continually improve transport in South Ayrshire.”

The Council’s Roads and Transportation team are working with Cycling Scotland to bring forward schemes for the local cycle network  and planning work is progressing for the new parking VMS system.

Councillor Margaret Toner visited the new bus stop outside the Biggart Hospital in Ayr to see the improvements.

New kerb at Ardfin Road, Prestwick

November 2006