A DOCTORS’ surgery in Ayr IS worried their staff and patients will be penalised over parking charges.

Tam’s Brig Surgery at New Road, could be affected if the new proposals are introduced which will see free off-street parking abolished across Ayr, Prestwick and Troon.

A letter penned to Ayrshire Roads Alliance by a concerned GP strongly objects to the move being considered by South Ayrshire Council.

The Ayr Advertiser obtained a copy of the letter sent by Dr Calum McCabe in which it claims that SAC broke promises set from when the car park was originally created.

Dr McCabe said: “I am writing to object strongly to the proposed implementation of parking charges at the car park in New Road, Ayr adjacent to Tam’s Brig. This is a flagrant breach of the promise made by South Ayrshire Council when the car park was created.

“The New Road car park is adjacent to Tam’s Brig which provides vital services to both the local community and the wider community.

“ There has been a pharmacy and GP practice there for many years and people attending these premises, as well as working there need parking.

“ To charge patients to park to attend a pharmacy or GP surgery is no different to ask them to park at a hospital and pay in the hospital car park and I feel this is unacceptable.”

Councillor Ian Cavana has fought for extra spaces for the GP surgery but is hoping he can get them more.

Cllr Cavana told the Advertiser: “I got another two spaces for them, this is all they would give me. Plus the fact there’s a pharmacists there as well.

“There’s nowhere else for people to park. If you were going for an appointment there at 10am you’d need to get dropped off by a helicopter to get into that road with all the buses that are there.

South Ayrshire Council have declared a further review will take place over the next few months by Ayrshire Roads Alliance.

A spokesperson for SAC said: “Ayrshire Roads Alliance will carry out a further review of parking in Ayr and return in the Autumn with proposals as part of a Parking Strategy.”