A TEMPORARY order to keep part of Saltcoats town centre pedestrianised has been extended.

Vehicle access on Dockhead Street has been limited since 2019 when an order was first implemented in the area.

The order means that no vehicles are allowed to access the street between 10am and 4pm every day.

Access is only granted to blue badge holders and for loading by permit holders and lorries between the hours out with these hours.

The order has remained in place since 2019 - extended on a temporary basis each time that the previous order was due to expire - when pedestrianisation was first trialled.

The adjustment was implemented alongside the introduction of a number of disabled access parking spaces in the carpark behind the Bank of Scotland building to ensure the street and its facilities are still accessible while vehicles cannot drive town Dockhead Street itself.

The last extension was granted back in April 2022 for an 18-month period following "very positive feedback and significantly improved pedestrian safety" in the area following an initial trial.

At the time it was proposed that this order be made permanent  through the statutory traffic regulation order process by October 2023 - however this has not come to fruition.

North Ayrshire Council has taken the decision to extend the temporary order for a 12-month period in the meantime while the further explore the possibility of permanent implementation.

A council spokesperson said: “The temporary order has been agreed and extends until October 25, 2024. The work to promote a permanent order is in progress.”