New parking charges could be coming to Ayr’s seafront, Citadel, Mill Brae and Riverside Place car parks as well as a number of streets.
Visitors to the beach would have to fork out cash to leave their cars on the busy esplanade from Blackburn Drive to Bath Place from April 1 to September 30.
Drivers would also be slapped with fees at New Road (Tam’s Brig), Queens Terrace Lane, Kings Court, Castlehill and Cromwell Road.
South Ayrshire Council is considering charging 50p for a 30-minute stay and £2 to park all day at the new locations apart from the Citadel, which would cost £3.
Parking bays on Mill Street and Smith Street would become pay and display – limiting people to a two-hour stay instead of three.
A consultation has kicked off on the proposals – allowing people to have their say until Monday, August 16.
The council said there is an “ideal opportunity” to introduce a “modern scheme, which is fairer and supports businesses, residents and visitors.”
Objecting to the potential charges, Conservative Group leader Martin Dowey said: “We are coming out of the Covid crisis. We need to encourage as many people as possible to come to Ayr. They should not be paying for the privilege.”
He questioned why the consultation was running during the summer period with community councils off and residents on holiday.
And the councillor said if the esplanade had a major revamp, the proposal to charge at the seafront could perhaps be justified.
The Ayr West politician added: “We need to get rid of parking fees. If we take control of the council next year we will introduce two hours of free parking in Ayr town centre.”
Councillor Ian Cochrane, environment portfolio holder for the council, said: “Some fundamental changes are being proposed, so it’s vital that residents have their say.
“Parking charges are never popular, but they do free up spaces, and this should encourage people back into the High Street to the benefit of retailers.
“We also want to promote more sustainable forms of travel, so these proposals may encourage people to walk, cycle or take public transport more often.”
Current charging periods for on-street parking are either from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday; 8am to 1pm Saturday or 9:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday; 9:30am to 1pm Saturday. It's 24 hours, seven days per week for off-street car parks.
New proposals would see charging for all on-street and off-street parking run from 11am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.
Virtual permits could be introduced for residential parking, with pay and display areas visitors. Permits may also be rolled out to allow tradespeople to park and then work in the town centre.
To comment on the proposals visit www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/consultations
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