A LOCAL councillor has welcomed council proposals to carry out a public consultation on vehicles using the Dockhead Street pedestrian zone in Saltcoats town centre.

SNP Cllr Jean McClung, who has campaigned for action on this matter since being elected in 2017, said the Blue Badge parking scheme is “being abused”, which has created a situation where, “pedestrians, in a pedestrian zone, are often forced to move to the sides of the area to allow a stream of cars to pass”.

Dockhead Street was pedestrianised back in 1984 by the former Strathclyde Regional Council, however, the Blue Badge Scheme provides parking concessions for people with disabilities, whether travelling as a driver or passenger in a vehicle.

Presently, Blue Badge holders can park in Dockhead Street at any time, while commercial vehicles delivering to shops are restricted to abetween 4.30pm and 10.30am.

Cllr McClung said: “This problem is getting worse and it really is time for action.

“Over recent years there has been a huge increase in the number of Blue Badge holders, and therefore in the volume of traffic on Dockhead Street. I am not criticising those who legitimately use their Blue Badge, but it is not uncommon to see people park in the pedestrian zone and then jump out of their car and run into a shop.”

The Saltcoats councillor said she has received numerous complaints, adding: “I have personally witnessed a number of near-misses when children have run out in front of cars.

“Elderly folk with mobility difficulties, those with hearing impairment and those who have white sticks and are unaware of vehicles bearing down on them are being put at risk. I have stopped taking my grandchildren into town, as it is too stressful trying to ensure they stay out of the path of vehicles

“An ambulance got stuck behind a long stream of vehicles, which were, themselves, weaving in and out between parked cars. All in a pedestrian zone.”

She added: “Even folk who hold Blue Badges have told me that something has to be done.”

One option could prohibit all vehicles from the pedestrian area during ‘shopping hours’.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are proposing to launch a consultation exercise in September.

“In recent years there has been an incremental increase in the volume of traffic entering Dockhead Street. As a consequence, there has also been a rise in the number of complaints we have received relating to parking.

“To help ensure the safety of all visitors, we are inviting stakeholders to contribute to the consultation exercise, which will include a proposal to amend the Traffic Regulation Order to restrict vehicular access during shopping hours.

“We expect the consultation to be carried out via on-street questionnaire and online.”