Council chiefs will review car park closures this week – with some to potentially reopen on Friday.

The Scottish Government is expected on Thursday to confirm that we are moving into phase 2 of the routemap out of lockdown.

And the council says that will signal the start of its phased approach to reopening car parks across the region.

It is expected that a number of the previously closed car parks will be made available for use as the council adopts a phased approach to re-opening car parks.

Those in more densely populated areas, such as the car parks at Largs seafront and Vikingar, will remain closed for the time being.

The car parks that will open on Friday will be those in less populated areas where physical distancing can be more easily maintained.

Any car parks that had been temporarily closed on islands will also re-open for the use of islanders, however travel restrictions still remain in place and only essential travel should be taken on the ferry service

The mainland car parks to open are:

Pilot House Car Park, Irvine

Beach Drive, Irvine 

Car Park off Marine Drive, Irvine

Eglinton Park, Kilwinning 

Stevenston Point Car Park, Stevenston

Car Park at access to the Dunes, Stevenston (Access point at football park/playpark)

North Shore,  off A78 Ardrossan 

Bowencraig Car Park East – Largs Marina

Bowencraig Car Park West – Largs Marina

A760 Picnic Site (Haylie Brae) - Largs

Lynn Glen, Dalry

Council leader Joe Cullinane said: “None of the measures we have introduced were taken lightly and closing our car parks was one of them.

“It became really clear after speaking with our partners at Police Scotland that people were still driving to Ayrshire from all across the country to enjoy our scenic views as part of their daily exercise.

“Obviously now we are in a phased recovery with a greater degree of flexibility for people to enjoy more outdoor recreation.

“There are still clear guidelines that people should only be travelling locally and physical distancing should be maintained. That’s why car parks will reopen on a phased basis, mirroring the approach we took entering lockdown when certain car parks closed first as a result of concerns around mass gatherings and physical distancing. We will now take that approach, in reverse, with ongoing reference to the national guidance.

“Being able to do more outdoor activity, within reason, will be good for people’s wellbeing but we need to keep in mind that we are a long way from getting back to normal and we are still at the early stages of the routemap.

“The support we have had from local people so far has been fantastic and we would urge them to continue following the guidelines. If we all do that we will make progress through the phases of recovery and further restrictions will be lifted as a result.”

 The following car parks remain closed in this first phase of re-opening.

• The Turf Car Park, Saltcoats

• The Braes Car Park, Saltcoats

•  Portencross Car Park

• Main Road Car Park access road, Fairlie

• Pier Road, Fairlie

• Old Magnum Car Park, Irvine

• Vikingar Car Park, Largs

• Largs seafront car park, Largs