Ayr street becomes 'mini harbour' with random boats anchored on road

An Ayr street has turned into a 'mini harbour' – after boats were left abandoned on the side of the road.

Racecourse View in the town has become awash with vessels permanently anchored along the plush neighbourhood for months; with three docked.

But last week a fourth boat steered its way in, leaving residents and a trio of councillors fuming at the lack of action.

Ayr West Tory trio – councillors Derek McCabe, Martin Dowey and Lee Lyons – have accused roads chiefs of giving the issue a wide berth.

They believe Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) has opted to abandon ship over the permanent ‘hazard’ due to the boats being far enough away from passing traffic.

Councillor McCabe has called out “toothless” organisation after the inspectors deemed the boats were not causing an obstruction or disrupting traffic flow.

Councillors say the boats make a mockery of the town (Ayrshire Post)

But he insists ignoring the issue is making a mockery of the town.

He told Ayrshire Live: “Racecourse View is essentially now a mini harbour without water.

The boats have been docked on Racecourse View (Ayrshire Post)

“We have known about this for ages and it’s gotten to the point where someone has loaded off another boat here.

“It’s making the town look completely crazy, residents are furious about this. We have been inundated with emails and complaints.”

Councillor McCabe fears the council are powerless and has called on roads chiefs to fix the mess.

A fourth boat has been spotted in the area (Ayrshire Post)

He added: “The council can not do anything about it really, ARA are hiding behind the legislation – there is nothing we can legally do.

“It is anti-social behaviour, its fly-tipping and abandonment. These boats are of no use to anyone.

“If they were to go back in the water they would go down quicker than the Lusitania.”

A spokesperson for the ARA said: "The Ayrshire Roads Alliance has visited the site and confirmed that the boats are not causing disruption to the traffic flow or causing an obstruction, as they are contained within parking bays.

"This means that the Alliance does not have the authority to remove the boats under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984."

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