MEMBERS ofthe public have called for vehicles to be banned from Dockhead Street in Saltcoats town centre.

An extensive public survey, initiated by Saltcoats SNP councillor Jean McClung and the town’s Community Council, produced an ‘overwhelming’ majority for all vehicles to be banned from the street.

Although Dockhead Street is already designated as a pedestrian zone, Cllr McClung was inundated by constituent complaints that the number of vehicles being driven in the street represented a danger to people, particularly children.

On one occasion, while collecting the views of the public, representatives of Saltcoats Community Council counted over 40 cars per hour being driven through the pedestrian zone. Now, after representations by Cllr McClung, and in light of the public survey findings, North Ayrshire Council’s Roads department is proposing to amend the existing Traffic Regulation Order.

The change will see Dockhead Street fully-pedestrianised between the hours of 9:30am and 4:30pm. Blue Badgeholders will be able to drive their vehicles in Dockhead Street outwith this period.

In order that Blue Badge-holders will still be able to access Dockhead Street during the new restricted hours, the council also proposes to increase the number of disabled-bay parking spaces by 13 in the town’s Chapelwell Street car park, taking the new total to 18.

Reacting to the proposal, Cllr Jean McClung said: “I am delighted that, at last, local people and visitors alike will have a safer shopping experience in Saltcoats town centre.

“For a street that is supposedly already a pedestrian zone, the number of vehicles driving through Dockhead Street can be ridiculous. “ I have, personally , witnes sed pedestr ians , including children, having to jump out of the way as cars drive down the street.”

Cllr McClung added: “The new proposal will mean no cars are allowed in Dockhead Street during the core hours of the shopping-day, but additional disabled-bay parking will be provided in the nearby Chapelwell Street car park.

“This is what the public made clear they wanted, and I thank Council officers for listening to the voice of local people.” The statutory process required to implement the proposed amendment to the existing Traffic Regulation Order is expected to commence imminently.