South Ayrshire Council News

Thumbs up for the Council! Local residents of Gordon Terrace and Riverside Walk

“Christmas has come early for us” that’s the message from delighted residents of Gordon Terrace and Riverside Walk after they got together with the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, councillors and officers from South Ayrshire Council and worked to make their local underpass a safer place.

For years the underpass has been used as a short cut to the town centre and Ayr Racecourse, but it had become vandalised, littered and daubed with graffiti. In addition, it had become a gathering point for drug users, under age drinkers and a local trouble spot.

Councillor Elaine Little explained: “This is a great example of people power in action. Community Support Officers, Strathclyde Police, Antisocial Behaviour Team and Council officers have all been brilliant in making sure the community voice was heard and acted on and the difference in the underpass is superb.

“The local residents have been tremendous in taking a lead on this project and have played an active part in the problem solving process. They identified the nooks and crannies as being trouble spots and the lack of lighting was also an issue. This has been addressed and a 100 metre fence has been erected, lighting installed and graffiti painted out.”

Councillor Margaret Toner, Portfolio Carrier for Community Services said: “The local community should be rightly proud of what has been achieved here. It goes to show that when local residents take a positive approach to problem solving and put their heads together with the agencies in the area, the results can be fantastic.”

The underpass development is the first step in a series of initiatives aimed at making the area safer. In 2008, Community Support Officers will be involved in organising environmental improvements with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and, again, this will fully involve the local community.

The last word was left to local resident, Mrs Duffy who said: “We are delighted that so much has been achieved in so little time. It’s like Christmas has come early for us”.