A major transformation of Ayr town centre could cost £19.9 million and take up to two years longer than planned under proposals going before councillors.
The Accessible Ayr project would make substantial changes to streets, junctions and public spaces across the town centre, including new and improved pedestrian crossings, protected cycle routes, wider and upgraded pavements and changes to traffic movements.
South Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet will consider the latest plans tomorrow (Tuesday 22 September), with officers recommending further design work and consultation before the scheme progresses.
The estimated construction cost for the first phase has now been put at £19.9m.
The council and Transport Scotland have agreed that construction could be divided into four phases, each costing less than £5m in an individual financial year.
A council report says the proposed approach, combined with further work on parts of the design, could add between one and two years to the project’s timetable, depending on future funding.
The first phase covers streets largely south of the River Ayr. Among the areas being examined are Alloway Street and the junction of Fort Street, Fullarton Street and Sandgate.
Plans for Fort Street North would see the section between Sandgate and Citadel Place changed from two-way traffic to one-way northbound.
Changes are also proposed to signal-controlled crossings, while a two-way cycleway is planned for the eastern side of Alloway Street.
Disabled parking and loading bays would be moved to the western side of Alloway Street and a signal-controlled crossing relocated closer to the High Street.
Businesses and residents have raised concerns about elements of the proposals during consultation, including the planned changes around Alloway Street and Sandgate.
Ayrshire Roads Alliance is now recommending that further options are developed for these areas before councillors are asked to approve the final technical design.
Officers also want to examine surrounding streets and expand the area being considered as part of the first two phases of the project.
Accessible Ayr has been in development since a public consultation on the future of Ayr town centre was held in 2018.
The project was split into two phases in 2024, with the first progressing to detailed design while work on the second phase, covering areas largely north of the River Ayr, was paused to allow additional engagement.
Design work has so far been funded by the Scottish Government through the Places for Everyone programme, administered by the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly Sustrans.
The latest report also recommends developing a wider Ayr Transport Strategy covering walking, cycling, buses, rail and roads.
Accessible Ayr forms part of the wider Ayr Town Centre Framework, which includes proposals for the redevelopment of the former Hourstons and Arran Mall site, improvements to the Esplanade, the Kyle Quarter and Burns Statue Square.
If Cabinet approves the recommendations tomorrow, further design and engagement work will continue before any final construction programme is agreed.