Ayr Esplanade: Detailed plans outlining town future

The Conservative administration had made improving the Esplanade one of the key parts of their manifesto prior to the 2022 local elections.

Next week Cabinet will hear how the Esplanade Strategy has been put together and what it will mean for the town over the next couple of years.

The esplanade will remain in council ownership, with moves to lease some commercial units.

A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 November states: “The Ayr Esplanade Strategy aims to enhance the family friendly and pedestrian focussed offer at the Esplanade by improving the public open spaces and public realm, for use by residents and visitors.

“Improvements are recommended along the length of the Esplanade from the slipway in the north to the shelter kiosk at Blackburn Drive in the south.”

It aims to develop two ‘gateway’ areas at the Pavilion Road and Blackburn Drive ends of the esplanade which will be a priority for improvement works.

The report outlines work the slipway at Ayr Harbour, lighting, the former crazy golf course and putting green, bandstand, signage, access, crossing points and general improvements.

Slipway

This will see improved heritage artefacts, interpretation boards, wayfinding

and accessibility to the slipway at the south of Ayr harbour. A consultation is already underway around the removal of the ‘Watchful’.

Esplanade Lighting

Proposals are being ‘investigated’ to provide consistent lighting with ‘placemaking design features’ as the current columns are mixed vintage and design. Lighting will be energy efficient LEDs and there will be opportunity for light changing colour.

Former Crazy Golf

The proposal is to reinstate a Crazy Golf facility. This could involve the council undertaking investment and then leasing the facility to a community or commercial enterprise.

Former Putting Green

Plans to build a level, child friendly maze on the site and/or a sensory garden that could be attractive for dementia or visually impaired visitors.. There is potential for innovative seating arrangements such as tri-pod  seating.

Place De St. Germain-En-Laye Bandstand and Civic Realm 

Design proposals are being drafted to improve the appearance of the bandstand. Should proposals not require planning permission, designs would be brought to cabinet in February.

Council is also looking to address ‘fragmented, broken’ civic realm in the area, potentially replacing the surface.

Signage around Pavilion Road

Existing signage has been described as ‘confusing’ to visitors and detracts from the amenity of the area. The proposals look at replacing them with ‘pedestrian oriented digital signage’.

Accessible Strategy

A survey of the Esplanade will identify further accessibility improvements around the Esplanade, including enhancing the pedestrian and cycle experience in the area.

Improved Crossing Points 

There are current four crossing points between the Esplanade and the Low Green.  Some of the stairs are in poor condition.

The council is looking to replace traffic calming islands with civic realm that will improve the amenity as well as provide traffic calming.

These proposals would tie in with an opportunity to make the stairs feature points along this part of the esplanade along with improving disability access.

Former WC/ Shelter Block and Improved Public Realm

A recommendation is being made that a public consultation is into the possibility of a new cafe or kiosk being started for the 2024 summer season.

The area also has potential to become a southern gateway point with improved public realm surfaces and stairs to the Low Green.

An Ayr Esplanade Strategy had been looked at in March 2020, just at the onset of the pandemic. The lack of public responses to a consultation on the plan was put down to the impact of lock-down and no progress was made.

There are also plans for Girvan Promenade, which will come to cabinet early next year, as well as work taking place in Newton, Troon and Prestwick.

A further three future projects are being looked it in addition to the various Ayr esplanade works.

The Watch Tower

This at the harbour end of the Esplanade and is not in Council ownership and views are sought on potential new uses or improvements to the area.

Cycle provision

There is a cycle way in place for most of the Esplanade, however, there may be opportunities to expand the network.

Former paddling pool

On the grassed area to the side of Blackburn Drive, this has been disused since 1990 and is not capable of reuse as a paddling pool. Options for redevelopment could include temporary ‘grasscreted’ car parking for events overspill or simply grassing over.