Labour’s Louise McPhater has expressed delight that her campaign to make Irvine, and other beaches across North Ayrshire, accessible to all users is progressing.

After her by-election win in August 2016, Councillor McPhater was approached by a constituent whose relative couldn’t access Irvine Beach because of their wheelchair. Councillor McPhater held talks with Council officers to seek a solution and a bid was submitted for external funds to support work towards a Beach Wheelchair project.

That funding bid has been successful and feasibility work is ongoing.

Councillor McPhater said, “North Ayrshire has wonderful beaches that everyone should be able to enjoy but at the moment some are unable to do so.

“I have been campaigning to make Irvine Beach accessible to all for two years and I am delighted that the Council’s Labour administration have secured external funding to progress a Beach Wheelchair project that could do just that.

“This is a fantastic project that could make a difference to disabled people across Ayrshire, giving them access to beaches that they do not currently enjoy.

“I look forward to working with my Labour colleagues and Council officers to progress this project in the future.”