Members of South Ayrshire Council’s Economic and Tourism Development Convener and Vice Convener’s Sub-Committee have approved a programme of works funded by a grant of £245,000 by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) for financial year 2006-2007.

The funding must be spent prior to the 31 March 2007, the end of this financial year, and will be used to fund the following projects:

LOCAL CYCLE NETWORK - £60,000

In 2005/2006 Cycling Scotland undertook a feasibility study to identify routes that could be developed to enhance the Local Cycle Network. The installation of the National Cycle Route 7, running from the north to the south of South Ayrshire has proved to be popular. Feeder routes for the National Cycle route which go from the east to the west of South Ayrshire have also been identified along with other routes which could be made more cycle friendly. Cycle routes in Ayr and Troon are already being developed so the majority of the funding will be used to make improvements in the Girvan area.

BUS STOP INFRASTRUCTURE - £60,000

Following the implementation of a programme of raised bus stop kerbs over the last few years as part of the Local Transport Strategy there has been continuing demand to install more. Funding will be used to form raised facilities at a number of hospitals, care homes, residential homes and sheltered housing complexes.

URBAN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL CAR PARK GUIDANCE AYR TOWN CENTRE - £125,000

The installation of cabling for the system has already started in Ayr town centre. The new system will give motorists additional information regarding car park capacities in Ayr town centre to allow them to make an informed decision about where they should park. This should help to overcome congestion and utilisation problems that can occur in the town centre car park. A contract for the manufacture, supply and erection of a car park guidance system that uses variable message signs is being undertaken for car parks at Riverside Place, Ayr Central, Mill Brae Car Park, Charlotte Street Car Park and Cromwell Road Car park. This will be phase one, with phase two later on bringing all Ayr town centre car parks into the system.

July 2006