Kilwinning Main Street closure in force next year

Kilwinning Community Councillors voted earlier in the year to demand action be taken on cars illegally using the Main Street after further complaints.

After having written to the town's Locality Partnership and further engagement, it has been agreed that there should be restrictions imposed on vehicles access to the town’s centre.

To improve pedestrian safety, a temporary traffic order is therefore being introduced which will restrict access for all vehicles between 10.30am and 4.30pm, Monday-Saturday.

The new arrangement will come into effect on Monday, 11 January, for an initial 18-month period.

Community council secretary Jim Watson previously proposed they write to Kilwinning Locality Partnership requesting that Main Street be closed to traffic in weekdays during the day – which was passed after a vote.

He added: “I have been on this community council for 13 years and I am sick of hearing about the Main Street.”

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Green New Deal and Sustainability, said: “We have introduced these measures in response to increasing community concerns for the safety of pedestrians on Kilwinning’s Main Street.

“Initially, it will be for a period of 18 months after which we will review the changes and determine their effectiveness before deciding if the temporary traffic order should be made permanent.

“This is a move which I’m sure will be welcomed by those who use the Main Street and hopefully result in a safer area for pedestrians.”

Access for loading by permit holders, delivery vehicles, blue badge holders and taxis will continue to be permitted out with the restricted hours (before 10.30am and after 4.30pm), Monday to Saturday. Emergency vehicles are exempt from these restrictions as well as funeral cars accessing Abbey Church.

On Sundays, vehicle access will be permitted between the hours of 10.30am and 4.30pm by permit holders, delivery vehicles, blue badge holders and taxis only.