Businesses react to axing of cycle lanes

(Image: South Ayrshire Council)

Ayr businesses have welcomed a last-minute turnaround on the council’s proposed town centre cycle lanes.  

South Ayrshire Council met today, 20 January, and confirmed plans in the Accessible Ayr project would be deferred until a later date, with the lanes no longer being included. 

The “ambitious” Accessible Ayr programme is in partnership with the council, Ayrshire Roads Alliance and Sustrans. 

Ayr MSP Siobhan Brown took to social media to share her thoughts on the reversal of the cycle lane decision from the meeting. 

She said: “I am all for active travel but we must do it in a way which has the general public and businesses onside. It must be fully consulted on. 

“I believe this is the right decision.” 

Local traders in the town have echoed Brown’s statement on their social feeds. 

Reacting on Facebook, Cafe Ginger, on Ayr’s Fort Street, said: “Great news, hopefully they will come up with plans for more parking and access to Ayr town centre to help bring people to the town.”

Popular takeaway Spudbuds added that “common sense has prevailed” following their recent disapproval of the plans. 

A post from the business on 14 January read: “Ayr Council pushing ahead with cycle lanes nobody asked, while local businesses say ‘please don’t’ and get ignored. 

“Parking will be gone, shops struggling, and soon you may need a bike to collect your Spudbuds.” 

The project was promised to be delivered in two phases from Summer 2024, first focusing on streets north of the River Ayr before moving south.