Complete car ban on busy Saltcoats shopping street

All vehicles will be banned on the main road for shopping in Saltcoats.

Disabled and delivery drivers had previously been allowed to use Dockhead Street but that will be stopped from Monday 19th August 2020.

It follows a two year long campaign from locals concerned about safety as the road has no pavements.

Councillor Jean McClung, who lives in Saltcoats, says, "Disabled drivers are allowed to be in the street at any time at the moment. But over the years the number of cars has dramatically increased. In my view and the view of many others here, it has become a dangerous place to be.

"I have seen children on many occasions dashing about, chasing pigeons etc, because there are no pavements and it is worrying.

"The number of people who have spoken to me about it prompted me to back calls for it to be pedestrianised. It really was the subject of conversation with anyone you met there.

"I am relieved that this action is now being taken. The vast majority of people in a survey wanted it."

There will still be access for disabled people before 9.30am and again after 4.30pm.

But not everyone is welcoming the move including Christine Paterson who is disabled. She says, "I like my independence of going to the butchers and bakers and other shops in town. "There are other disabled people who can drive but can’t walk very far so parking in Dockhead street is a godsend getting close to the shops.

"These new disabled parking spaces that they have made instead will have to be monitored at all times as ordinary drivers will park in them as usual saying 'I’m just nipping for one thing'. Well that is no good to disabled people. "Some disabled people like to get out and about and Dockhead Street is the hub of the town."