Volunteers got so fed up waiting for council chiefs to tart up Irvine beach they pulled on their overalls and did it themselves.
Members of Irvine Clean up Crew and Coastwatch hit the shore on Sunday morning to put in a full days work repainting weather worn benches.
They decided to act after council bean-counters ruled the local authority couldn’t afford to carry out the work.
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Sandra Hughes, chair of the group, revealed: “We approached the council and asked them to provide an information board, paint the rusted benches and bollards and line the car park.
“Although the council lined the car park and replaced a few of the bins, they told us they couldn’t carry out any painting or spend any money on an information board. It’s very difficult not to be discouraged.
“But that’s when our fabulous volunteers decided that Irvine Beach really is worth investing time and effort. “
Sandra is hoping the council can work together closely with the group in the future to ensure the beach stays in the best possible condition.
“We’d love to have the support of North Ayrshire Council and are keen to work alongside them,” she added.
“We know the tremendous effort that Streetscene staff go to on the beach. We’ll give ourselves a shake and get back down to that shore with all of our brilliant volunteers and NAC workers to get the place looking ship shape and ready for the summer season.”
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A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We’ve been working closely with Irvine Clean Up Crew on making improvements to the beach park, including installing new bins and relining
the car park.
“The volunteers have been outstanding in their efforts to ensure the beach park is looking
as good as possible – as shown
by their recent success in the Provost’s Civic Pride Awards –
and we look forward to
continuing to work in partnership with them.”
