Changes at Blackburn Road Car Park, Ayr

Our car parks across South Ayrshire are accessible throughout the year to ensure residents and visitors can enjoy all that the area has to offer. Unfortunately, in response to reports of vehicle related anti-social behaviour, a range of prevention measures will be implemented at Blackburn Road Car Park in Ayr over the coming months.

Vehicle related anti-social behaviour includes:

· Excessive engine revving;

· Repeated horn sounding (horn peeping);

· Dangerous driving manoeuvres, including ‘donuts’ and wheel-spinning;

· Excessive vehicle noise;

· Gathering of vehicles causing disturbance to local residents.

These ongoing behaviours create noise disturbance, present road safety concerns and negatively impact the quality of life of local residents.

Working in partnership with Ayrshire Roads Alliance and Police Scotland, immediate measures will include the introduction of an education programme to reduce anti-social behaviour; improve public safety; minimise noise disturbance to local residents and support a safer environment for all car park users and those visiting the surrounding area. Further engineering options are currently being assessed and will be implemented as soon as practicably possible.

Once these measures are in place, any ongoing activities related to anti-social behaviour may be subject to parking enforcement action and the issue of penalty charge notices worth £100.

In addition, Police Scotland Officers will be carrying out regular patrols of the area. In response to incidents relating to car cruises at the Blackburn Road area of Ayr over the last 12 months, Officers have stopped approximately 250 vehicles and dealt with 25 offences by issuing Fixed Penalty Notices and/or Reports to the Prosecutor Fiscal. In response to incidents relating to anti-social behaviour over the last 12 months, Officers have issued 40 Road Traffic Offences and 10 Anti-Social Behaviour Offences by issuing Fixed Penalty and/or Reports to the Prosecutor Fiscal.

South Ayrshire Council’s Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: “Unfortunately, the issue of anti-social behaviour at Blackburn Road Car Park in Ayr has been a recurring problem, particularly in the summer months. Residents and visitors should feel safe within the area and we have been liaising closely with colleagues at Police Scotland and the Ayrshire Roads Alliance to implement measures to prevent this behaviour.”

Barrie McDonnell Strategic Manager, Roads, Network and Maintenance, Ayrshire Roads Alliance said: “We are aware of the anti-social behaviour taking place at Blackburn Road car park and are working alongside colleagues at South Ayrshire Council and Police Scotland to determine an appropriate solution.”

Locality Policing Sgt Stewart Slaven said: “We recognise the disruption antisocial driving can cause. Driving in such a manner puts you, your passengers, and other road users at risk of harm and has the potential to cause serious collisions and injuries.

“The use of vehicles in any form of antisocial driving will not be tolerated. We are continuing to work with partner agencies on this issue and have officers carrying out regular patrols in this area to engage with drivers and take enforcement action where necessary.

“Anyone with concerns or information regarding antisocial driving should contact Police Scotland by calling 101.”

If you witness antisocial behaviour, please report it:

Police Scotland

· Non-emergency: 101

· Emergency: 999 (where there is immediate danger or a crime in progress)