Ayr anti-terrorism barriers 'will save a significant amount'

At a special meeting of South Ayrshire Council, Labour group leader Councillor Duncan Townson pointed out that organisers of other events had to inform the public of their plans, and asked why the authority's officials hadn't done so.

The barriers attracted a mixture of fury and derision from members of the public when they were installed at the Low Green in early July.

Metal framed pedestrian arches were installed on The Esplanade, along with traffic bollards and swing arm barriers at Wellington Square and Bath Place.

Siobhian Brown MSP, pictured here with SNP councillor George Weir at one of the anti-terror barriers, said the measures were unwanted and unnecessary. (Image: Contributed)

Ayr's constituency MSP, Siobhian Brown, was among those who slammed the measures, describing them as an "eyesore" and saying they were "unwanted and unnecessary".

Following the public outcry, the council said it had "reviewed and assessed" the barriers and had decided to "remove some of the pavement mounted bollards to ensure maximum pedestrian access"

Councillor Townson asked: “Why did the council not follow its own rules in informing people in the local area about what is going on for large events?

"The council rightly insists that organisers go through a formal process, with correspondence and notices – with regards to the anti-terror defences being put in place.”

In a written answer, Jane Bradley, the council's director of communities and transformation, stated that temporary anti-terror measures had been required to be put in place at previous events.

She said that the installation of the fixed barriers saved a significant amount of money and added that the council was looking at ways to improve the look of the structures.

Councillor Duncan Townson accused South Ayrshire Council officials of not following the authority's own rules. (Image: Duncan Townson)

Councillors received a briefing, Ms Bradley said, on June 28, around a fortnight before they were installed as part of what's being referred to as Operation Rosette.

The barriers, temporary or permanent, are required by the police and fire services who sign off safety and security plans for large scale events.

Ms Bradley continued: “It is a condition imposed on the council as organisers of an event, and not one the public are consulted on as part of any event application.

“Temporary measures are very expensive to hire and install therefore the installation of these fixed barriers will save a significant amount of public money.

“The only cost to the council was the transportation and installation of these.

"Operation Rosette is a counter terrorism operation aiming to support councils who hold large scale events by providing free of charge, a series of barges and barrier arms for a period of up to five years.

One of the barriers outside Ayr Sheriff Court. (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

“These security measures will allow the council to make additional use of the protected space to attract additional events to the Low Green and provide a boost to the local economy."

Council officers also pointed to the new Labour government’s commitment to a new law that would require infrastructure to protect against terror attacks at events of more than 800 people.

The director added: “The locations were identified as they protected the Low Green and surrounding areas from hostile vehicles and had the lowest impact on residential properties.

“The locations of the barriers have a smaller protected footprint than the temporary measures have had, which means that local residents will be able to park and access their properties as they normally would.

“Previously, during events residents had their parking displaced to surrounding car parks.”

The barriers in Ayr are similar to this one already in place next to the River Thames in London. (Image: Contributed)

The barriers are to be painted and covered ‘to reduce the need for ongoing maintenance’.

The council is also ‘exploring opportunities to add additional planters and floral displays to make them more aesthetically pleasing’.