![\"Ayr](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/screenshot-2026-01-24-114936.png\" "\\"Ayr")
Ayr town centre plans (credit: Accessible Ayr)<\/p>\nProposed cycle lanes in Ayr town centre have been scrapped after the council\u2019s depute leader called for a revised design without cycling infrastructure, following criticism from\u00a0residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The controversial plans initially caused uproar as the removal of six car parking spaces would cause \u201cdisruption\u201d to \u201cour local economy\u201d, according to MP Elaine Stewart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was public concern that the plans, which are part of the council\u2019s Accessible Ayr programme, retained the cycle lanes despite public opposition.<\/p>\n
Ayr town centre plans (credit: Accessible Ayr)<\/p>\n
Siobhan Brown, MSP for Ayr, Prestwich & Troon, said on Facebook, \u201cARA has decided to defer the Accessible Ayr Project until a later date. It was also confirmed that the revised designs WILL NOT include any cycle lanes in Ayr town centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI am all for active travel, but we must do it in a way which has the general public and businesses onside. It must be fully consulted on. I believe this is the right decision.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
>\u00a0\u201cPolitically correct\u201d cycle lane plans would put \u201ceconomic vitality\u201d of town at \u201cserious risk\u201d, warns Labour MP \u2013 due to loss of six car parking spaces<\/a><\/p>\n In an open letter in October, MP Elaine Steward said that \u201cwe all want a more accessible, vibrant Ayr \u2013 but not at an economic cost. I urge South Ayrshire Council to pause these plans and listen carefully to the voices of business owners, cyclists, and the wider public.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n She also referenced the 2016 Holmston Road cycle lane project<\/a>, which cost the council \u00a395,000 to remove after an unprecedented level of opposition. \u201cRepeating that mistake would further erode public trust and squander valuable public funds.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n This decision has been met with support from many residents, many of them calling for funds to be focused on regenerating the struggling high street.\u00a0<\/p>\n Robert Dalziel said on Facebook: \u201cWhy would you cycle in Ayr when there’s nothing in Ayr town centre, unless you want vapes, nail bar or Turkish-style barbers.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTown needs investment, not tacky shops to attract tourists, day shoppers, etc. Once that has happened, then encourage\u00a0cyclists.\u00a0<\/p>\n >\u00a0“A bike lane doesn’t close a village”: Dame Sarah Storey defends cycle lane blamed for “ruining business” and “killing village”, calls shops closing “a coincidence, not an unexpected consequence”<\/a><\/p>\n Jorden-Lee McEwan added that \u201cas a cyclist, I\u2019d rather the council focus on resurfacing the roads around Ayr for all road users. Especially cyclists, the number of potholes is ridiculous and dangerous, and the attempts made to cover them literally create speed lumps all over the place.\u201d<\/p>\n However, there was also support for the original cycle lane plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laura Cowan said, \u201cThat\u2019s the idea. Get people out of their cars and more active. If it is easy to park and go to one shop, you also restrict visits to neighbouring shops.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFunny how it works everywhere else. Also, who wants to doge cars when you are shopping?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Ian Urquhard also highlighted safety concerns. \u201cI\u2019ve cycled in Ayr once. It\u2019s hostile to anyone outside of a car. Elderly, disabled, child? Yeah, no consideration for you. You can drive through it easily.<\/p>\n \u201cThe bypass was built, but no one thought to adapt the town centre to make it accessible to people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite expectations that the cycle lanes would be removed entirely from updated designs, a council report showed that while public feedback had influenced the programme, the only change had been to the design of the cycleway on Alloway Street.<\/p>\n >\u00a0Improving cycle infrastructure and public transport has little impact on car use, new review finds<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking at the meeting, South Ayrshire Council\u2019s depute leader, Alec Clark, said: \u201cDue 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,\u201d STV News reports<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCabinet will be updated on the new design as we go along, and to be clear, there will be no cycle lanes in Alloway Street, Sandgate or Fullarton Street.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Councillor Clark\u00a0added that he has spoken to the director of Housing, Operations and Development, and agreed to defer the report so the plans can be changed.\u00a0<\/p>\n The council said that no final decisions have been made and that redesigned plans will be brought back to Cabinet at a later date, while regeneration work at Burns Statue Square will continue as planned.<\/p>\n![\"Rowing](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/screenshot-2016-10-03-11.45.16.png\" "\\"Rowing")
Rowing cycle lane protest, Holmston Road, Ayr, Scotland (credit: Daily Record)<\/p>\n![\"Alloway](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/screenshot-2026-01-24-115450.png\" "\\"Alloway")
Alloway Street, Ayr (credit: Google)<\/p>\n![\"Commuter](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/commuter-segregated-cycle-lane-3.jpg\" "\\"Commuter")
Commuter in a segregated cycle lane 3.jpg (credit: road.cc)<\/p>\n
![\"Accessible](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/accessible-ayr-network-plan-credit-accessible-ayr_0.png\" "\\"Accessible")
Accessible Ayr Network plan (credit: Accessible Ayr)<\/p>\n