PRESTWICK beach is finally getting the funding to remove bricks and rubble and to get an annual clean.

An application was brought forward at a Leadership Panel meeting on Tuesday, September 19, after concerns from the community were raised about the amount of bricks and debris washing up on Prestwick beach.

Councillors agreed to make use of a Trommell sieve to clean the sand and that the cleaning process will begin in early October this year. The annual cleaning of Prestwick beach was also agreed.

It was established that rubble was leaking from the former building materials dump at Newton Shore and the repairs to a breached section of the sea defences are hoped to be undertaken around 2020/21.

Cllr Ian Cochrane, said: “For a significant number of Prestwick residents, this report will be one of the most eagerly awaited pieces of work produced by this council.

“It is well noted that this work is a combination of extensive campaigning by community activists, most prominently, George Gemmell and Laura Twaddell, but also including, both Prestwick Community Councils, Prestwick beach community group and Friends of Prestwick Seafront.

"I want to commend these activists for their determination in a pursuit of a resolution and to the way Mike Newall and his team have explored every way possible to determine the scale of the problem and ways to resolve the problem.”

Julie Twaddell from Friends of Prestwick Seafront, added: “We are absolutely delighted that the beach clean has been accepted. 

“George Gemmell, who has really pushed this project forward, was the one who noticed all the rubble and bricks on the beach and then we, Friends of Prestwick Seafront, joined forces with him.

"The first hurdle was that the council had to find out who or what was responsible for the rubbish washing up on the shore and it was found that most of it was coming from Newton Shore. We are delighted that it will be an ongoing clean up.

“It is just tremendous that the plan was as comprehensives as it was and this will help us get the beach to where Ayr and Troon is at. My sister, Laura, who passed away a couple of weeks ago was very involved in this and when it was approved at the meeting, it was incredibly poignant and we were all thinking of her.”