DOUBLE yellow lines are to be put in place on Harbour Road in Maidens to prevent dangerous parking.

The decision came at the Regulatory Panel (planning) meeting last Wednesday as Ayrshire Roads Alliance plans were approved by South Ayrshire Council.

The objector to these plans was the premises manager of Wildings Restaurant and Hotel, David Cuthill who believed the implementation of double yellow lines could harm businesses.

He said: “There are other ways to sort this out, we’ve sent a few letter to the council regarding the issues.

“Ninety per cent of our customers are retired. It is too far for them to walk to the restaurant from the nearby car park. There are lots of potholes.

“We run seasonally and sometimes are open from 12-2pm. If someone came in after us, they would be there all day.

“Double yellow lines would kill the area.”
Pictures were shown to councillors to highlight the parking problems on Harbour Road. 

A representative from Ayrshire Roads Alliance said: “I appreciate what Mr Cuthill is saying. However, the pictures speak a million words. 

“If people parked properly then it would not be an issue.”
Councillor Ann Galbraith supported the decision to introduce double yellow lines.

She said: “I cover Maidens Community Council. Concerns were raised for safety and fire services not being able to get through due to the parking.

“It is a bottle neck, what is the best way to deal with it?

“Changing people’s habits is hard but double yellow lines seems the best situation. Something needs to be done. But no one wants to harm Wildlings.”

Councillor Hugh Hunter called the parking problems ‘unacceptable’.
He said: “What we see is completely unacceptable. I’m sceptical whether double yellow lines will only be effective in the short term.

“I’d like to ask Ayrshire Roads Alliance what is put in place in terms of parking attendants? In terms of lighting something needs to be done with the area.”

Councillor Ian Cavana said: “We are damned if we do, damned if we don’t. We have a similar issue in my area regarding the parking at the University of the West of Scotland. I need to know what is plan B? Are we killing businesses? We need a plan B to light the car park.”

Ayrshire Roads Alliance confirmed they would look into improving the lighting in the area should double yellow lines be approved. They also confirmed that parking attendants would be put in place. 

Wildings agreed to put signs up to encourage drivers to use the car park. Plans were approved on condition that discussions began about lighting.