Proposed cycle lanes in Ayr town centre plan pulled following backlash

A proposal for controversial cycle lanes in Ayr town centre has been pulled at the last minute, with South Ayrshire Council’s depute leader Alec Clark insisting on a revised design.

There was public concern that the updated Accessible Ayr plans being put before Cabinet today had retained cycling lanes despite public opposition and an understanding that they would not be included.

At this morning’s cabinet meeting, Councillor Clark said he had spoken to director of Housing, Operations and Development Kevin Braidwood, and agreed to defer the report in order for the plans to be redesigned.

He said: “Due to further consultation and feedback, the report on Accessible Ayr has been deferred until a later date to allow for a redesign, which will not incorporate any cycle lanes in Ayr town centre.

“Cabinet will be updated on the new design as we go along, and to be clear, there will be no cycle lanes in Alloway Street or Sandgate or Fullarton Street.

“Burns Statue Square Regeneration will go ahead as planned.”

The pulled report had asked for approval from councillors to move to the next stage, including making bids for millions of pounds in external funding.

Officials had said the programme aimed to make the town centre easier to get around, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities, while also supporting local businesses and encouraging investment.

Design work for Phase 1 was due to be completed by March 2026, but it was not clear whether the removal of the cycle lanes would affect that timescale.

The project is being funded by the Scottish Government’s Places for Everyone programme, and delivered through Sustrans.

The total estimated construction cost for Phase 1 is £19.9m. However, to reduce disruption and meet national funding rules, the work would be carried out in smaller sections over four years, with no more than £5m spent in any one year.

The report states that the phased approach aims to limit disruption in the town centre, particularly while work is also under way at Burns Statue Square. Cllr Clark insisted that the Burns Statue Square work would go ahead as planned.

Council officers have already submitted a funding application to Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund, with the council expected to contribute around 30% of the costs.

The backlash against the inclusion of cycle lanes had been expected to see them removed entirely from the new designs. However, while the report had indicated that public feedback had influenced the programme, there had only been a change of the design of the cycleway on Alloway Street, but no scrapping of the lanes.

Other changes include:

Safer, more direct crossing points closer to the High Street.
Adjustments to traffic flow, including some streets becoming one-way to improve safety and capacity.
New planting, seating and upgraded materials to improve the look and feel of the town centre.

The council says the public engagement did influence everything from street furniture and planting to lighting and operational details for businesses.

Cabinet accepted the continuation of the report to undertake the redesign work.