Mauchline launches action plan

That’s just three of the things Mauchline folk don’t like about their home.

On the other hand, they have easy access to Kilmarnock and Ayr, community spirit is top notch and they are very proud of their heritage, including Burns connections.

That was just part of the message sent by residents during the survey conducted in order to pull together Mauchline’s Community Action Plan.

The five-year plan was launched last week, Mauchline being the third community to announce their likes, dislikes and what they plan to do about it.

As in New Cumnock and Logan, Lugar and Cronberry before them, a steering group was formed last year, bringing together representatives of various interested groups, including the Community Council, Community Association, Mauchline Primary, the WRI and youth groups.

And as in the other communities, the first item on their agenda was to find out what the people had to say.

This involved a survey form delivered to every house in the town, as well as eliciting the views of the primary kids and teenagers. Over 1,000 responses were received, which, according to steering group member Tom McVey, was 'a great achievement.’ Among the suggestions of the primary school youngsters were a duck pond, a McDonalds and, something that would make dad happy, a distillery.

There were meetings with local groups. And then there was a community event on October attended by over 400 locals.

The result was the formation of five themes for forward movement in Mauchline. Unfortunately, there is no whisky making proposal.

Theme one concerns traffic roads and town centre improvements. Of the responses received, 62 per cent felt the village faced serious problems, with the Cross being its worst feature instead of its best.

As anyone who has been caught up in rush hour traffic, Mauchline Cross acts as a bottleneck, forcing many southbound drivers to veer off and take an alternate route through the town, causing a rabbit run in some streets.

As Lisa Biggar, steering group member, said at the meeting: “It’s not just the heavy volume of traffic going through the village, it’s the number of HGVs as well.” Again, the much-used words 'by-pass’ were repeated. Lisa said that’s been on the agenda for many years but pledged that it will be lobbied for again.

On the build-up of traffic at the Cross she had a simple solution. “Adjust the traffic lights and let more through coming from Kilmarnock.” Something should be done, it was stated, about the level of parked cars on Loudoun Road, while the re-establishment of the train station would go in some way to relieving congestion by taking a number of vehicles off the road.

Mauchline folk are proud of their history but many felt that some of the older buildings needed to be improved, including some shop fronts. Litter and dog dirt are also issues that need to be addressed, while the look of the village will be improved by having the library painted and the instatement of hanging baskets.

They also want safer routes to the school and improved parking. Lisa went on: “For example, the top of Mansfield Road at the moment is used every day by kids coming from the bottom end of the village. That’s an unpavemented area and on a bend, so you can imagine how dangerous it is.” One idea would be to close off that area when the school children are using it.

Theme two deals with Community Facilities and Activities.

The steering group were well aware of the uncertainty and even controversy over the leisure plan in East Ayrshire but they were resolved to campaign to retain Mauchline’s popular Games Hall, Community Centre, Library and Sport Pavilion.

In addition, there was a call for all weather pitches to be used for a variety of sports.

Steering Group member Deborah Robertson said: “Maybe there is a future Jessica Ennis or Mo Farah out there. We want this to be a park that can be used by all, a place for everyone.” There is also a need for more facilities for young people, including an internet cafe, a youth club and a skate park.

Deborah said action was already being taken on the last suggestion with the formation of mobile skate park group. She said: “A group of volunteers from local mums and dads who by giving an hour and half of their time each month, we could have the mobile skate park visit each week for three hours at night. And starting with the school holidays in April it will be here during the day.” And although the Holy Fair is already one of the biggest and most successful events on the local calendar, there is a desire to see more events and facilities such as a community cinema and a science fair.

Deborah said: “Come on, guys, let’s make this happen for the village.” Heritage and the environment is theme three.

The Robert Burns connection must be continued and developed - top of the agenda seems to be access and promoting the National Burns Monument, which remains closed.

The recent Winter Olympics have again brought curling to world attention - and Mauchline’s part in that cannot be understated. As Tom McEvoy said: “Every one of the stones used in Sochi was made in Mauchline”.

There is a desire, along with the owners of the Curling Stone factory, to create a museum and visitors centre, which would also promote other high quality products including the world-famous Mauchline Ware and Burns Crystal.

They want new pathways and improvements to Beechgrove Park - some action is already being taken on that - as well as the development of allotments and community gardens.

Many of the themes interconnect. Mauchline’s history and heritage also plays a major role in theme four, which addresses the local economy. A vital part here would be the expansion of tourism, using the Burns Connection, the museum, the curling and events like the Holy Fair. Tom McVey, pictured below, said he recalled when he was a boy that buses came to Mauchline, drawn there by the Burns connection. He said: “No buses come to Mauchline at all now, none at all.” They want more support for local businesses, including the formation of a 'Country Market’ showcasing local produce.

Industrial space in and around the town should be improved and developed to make them more attractive to inwards investment. The business hub set up by EAC will be able to help with this.

And, a battle cry common across the area, they want broadband connectivity improved.

Finally, theme five, deals with transport and services, item number one being the re-opening of the railway station, which closed to passengers in 1965. David Hume, speaking on the subject, said that, on average, there were 10,000 vehicles a day going through Mauchline Cross. The return of the railway stop would help take at least some of these cars off the road.

An increased police presence in the town would also help tackle the parking problems in Loudoun Road and reduce anti-social behaviour. David believes something as simple as a traffic warden would improve the parking problem.

Improved access to the Health Centre, the development of fuller childcare services and more housing and care for the elderly and disabled are also called for.

East Ayrshire Council’s Vibrant Communities has been working with all the steering groups in East Ayrshire who are currently part of the Ayrshire LEADER-funded scheme. The department has been utilising its skills, knowledge and contacts to help bring together the various groups and plans and bring in relevant partners - and this will continue throughout the process.

At last Thursday’s meeting Suzanne Brodie said the work the steering group had put into this action plan was 'absolutely fantastic.’ She was also heartened by the packed community hall at the launch.

She continued: “It shows there is real enthusiasm and real community spirit within Mauchline.” She also praised the commitment at New Cumnock and Logan, Lugar and Cronberry to make change happen over the next five years.

She said: “It’s not about us coming in as an authority and saying what we think, it’s about you, as a community, saying this is what we’re going to do, this is what we want, but we need a bit of support. And that’s where we come in within Vibrant communities.” However, she said that although a lot of work has gone into forming the Action Plan, this is where the work really starts.

Local councillor Jim Roberts said that a tremendous amount of work had gone into this and other plans in a relatively short space of time. He continued: “They’ve put a lot of thought into the themes and very many of them are realistic, achievable and with everyone working together it’s all do-able.” Cllr Stephanie Primrose said: “I think it’s just such a positive outcome for Mauchline, especially when you see the amount of people here tonight and the enthusiasm and commitment. Mauchline’s aiming to get back on the map - look at the curling, it’s so in vogue and you need to capitalise on that. I think we can do it, we definitely can.” Tom McVey amplified: “All the doubters, all the people that said we’ve tried it before, hopefully after tonight will realise It will happen. It will.” But it can’t happen without the help of the community.

The plan has been formed. The themes identified. The way ahead signposted.

Now they need to bodies to make them a reality.