A review of motorhome parking trials in Troon will ‘set public minds to rest’, according to one councillor.

Conservative Bob Pollock had called on the review when the wider parking trial was discussed by cabinet last month.

Six sites were assessed, with three selected for motorhome parking in the summer.

Ayrshire Roads Alliance worked with ward councillors to identify the sites to assess.

Cllr Pollock told Cabinet last Tuesday: “I welcome the engagement that ward councillors had with Mr Braidwood and Ayrshire Roads Alliance in developing this paper and bringing it back.

“What is proposed unanimously reflects view of the ward councillors.”

He said that it was a ‘useful” process to go through, adding: “It reflects concerns had raised by the public over the use of a number of the sites. To see them withdrawn will set public minds at rest as well.”

Last month, South Ayrshire Council’s cabinet had asked for a further review of the pilot scheme in Troon with a view to adding other sites to the trial.

Officials looked at six potential sites, including the one agreed previously,

These were:

Beach Road Car Park
North Shore Road (Barassie Toilet Block) Car Park
North Shore Road Car Park
Harbour Road (Ballast Bank) Car Park
Titchfield Road Car Park
South Beach Car Park

North Shore Road Car Park was part of last year’s pilot and cabinet had already agreed to keep the facility, albeit reducing capacity from ten to five spaces.

The North Shore Road car park at the Barassie toilet block and Harbour Road car park were also approved. Set up costs will be £5700.

Officers assessed the North Shore at the toilet black as already having a height restriction barrier which would have to be removed, but said it was not overlooked by other properties.

Their report continued: “It is a popular destination for visitors with easy access to the shore and used for picnics and by water sports enthusiasts.

“The area does not lend itself to the installation of traditional parking bay markings.”

They have recommended the car park be opened up to motorhomes and caravans but insisted the drivers would have to find a ‘suitable pitch’.

The Harbour Road Ballast Bank Car Park was the other site recommended for motorhome facilities.

The report states: “The northern section can accommodate longer motorhome vehicles and is wide enough to safely accommodate up to four motorhomes.”

The recommendation to cabinet is for four or five bays to be allocated in the northern section of the car park only, with signage to discourage use of the southern part.

Officers suggested that Beach Road, South Beach and Titchfield Road Car Parks be discounted.

Beach Road Car Park was dismissed because it is overlooked by flats and the northern car park is in close proximity to it.

The southern car park is smaller and has restrictions around HGVs and buses, and was therefore discounted.

Titchfield Road Car Park is described in the report as ‘a very well used facility given its proximity to popular shorefront walking routes and local amenities’.

This popularity meant that officers viewed the car park as large enough to accommodate dedicated motorhome bays, they could ‘displace’ other car park users in summer and place ‘even greater parking strain’ on nearby streets.

Like Titchfield Road, South Beach car park is also described as very popular due to its easy access to the beach, being well used by ‘beach sport enthusiasts’.

They also said that, while they could create four motorhome bays, it would result in the loss of ‘up to 22’ standard parking bays.