Following last year's trial, a report presented to South Ayrshire Council on 15th February 2022 has recommended that permanent motorhome facilities are introduced at both the trial sites - i.e. Esplanade Car Park Ayr and Knockcushan Street Car Park Girvan.

This will require the installation of permanent waste management systems for the collection of black waste (chemical toilets), grey waste (washing facilities) and general waste. The proposal also requires the installation of new water service connections for the provision of clean water for drinking and to enable compliance with legislation in relation to fire safety.

However, the introduction of these permanent arrangements are subject to the successful promotion of a permanent Traffic Regulation Order. This process may take between 6 and 12 months to complete and so it is proposed to introduce the same temporary arrangements provided during the 2021 trial underpinned by a further Temporary Traffic Regulation Order.

Regarding the 2021 trial, the majority of feedback received for the Esplanade Car Park confirmed that the long standing issues in relation to car enthusiasts has to be addressed in order for any permanent arrangements to succeed. Therefore, whereas the trial scheme was based on the collection of fees via the existing cashless parking system (RingGo) and the monitoring of compliance through manned enforcement patrols by Parking Attendants, it is now proposed to install physical measures to enable better control on who enters the car park.

The proposed system is a barrier system in conjunction with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. This system will be linked to an on-line facility through which parking sessions can be booked and paid for in advance. Such a system is not suitable for the Knockcushan Street Car Park due to the
existing layout and the use of the car park by different groups, so this facility will continue to be managed under the previous arrangements.

It was recommended to base the scheme on a maximum stay of three consecutive overnight stays at a cost of £10 per night. This is an increase from one overnight stay costing £5 applied during the trial scheme.

In addition to the proposals for the reintroduction of temporary arrangements at the aforementioned sites, it was proposed to conduct a further trial of the scheme, based on the measures implemented during the previous trial, at the following sites:

North Shore Road Car Park, Troon (opposite Troon Swimming Pool)
The car park is located within easy reach of local town centre amenities including the swimming pool and public toilets. For the purpose of the trial 10 spaces are proposed.

Links Road Car Park, Prestwick (behind Kidz Play)
The proposed site is the large area to the rear of the Kidz Play building. For the purposed of the trial 10 spaces are proposed. Other than the public toilets at the southern entrance to the car park there are no nearby local amenities but should the demand justify it, additional spaces could easily be accommodated. 

Foreland Car Park, Ballantrae (adjacent public toilets)
This car park is located next to public toilets and within easy walking distance of other local amenities. Due to the size of the car park it is proposed to provide a maximum of 5 spaces for the purpose of the trial.

We understand that the above schemes will be in place by around April/May 2022, this article will be updated as soon as we have a definite date.