Ardrossan South Beach wheelers get taken for a trial run

The devices allow access onto the beach and into the water for those with disabilities and were officially launched on Wednesday.

The disability wheelers and hippocampe, provided by North Ayrshire Council and managed by Ardrossan Community Development Trust, will be based in a temporary container on South Beach promenade in Ardrossan.

The ACDT beach buggies in action

Events on the day celebrated the first use of the devices on the beach and were filmed by North Ayrshire Council. Two directors of the Trust, Michael McCulloch and Christine Powell, were also there to see the trial run.

Michael said: “As we move into summer there will be a staff member working from the container next to South Beach toilet block from Wednesday to Sunday to manage access to and the free use of deckchairs and the disability wheelers.”

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The wheeler and hippocampe devices need to be pre-booked to avoid disappointment. Booking can be done in person either at the South Beach container or the ACDT offices at the Frank Sweeney Centre on Glasgow Street. You can also call ACDT staff on 01294 608162 or 07341320584.

Alternatively, you can visit the booking system on the ACDT website at ardrossantrust.org/wheeler-and-deck-chair-booking/.

ACDT plan on these being available from July 6, between the hours of 11am and 6pm.

The beach buggies in action

Christine Powell said: “It was great to see them being rolled out. Fingers crossed for many more warm summer days where the community can fully benefit from the provision of deckchairs and wheelers on Ardrossan’s amazing promenade.”

Watch out for updates on the Trust’s Facebook page.