East Ayrshire Council leader speaks out about controversial new Kilmarnock bus station seats

East Ayrshire Council leader Douglas Reid has blasted uncomfortable-looking seats at Kilmarnock bus station.

The SNP politician said he “couldn’t believe it” when he spotted the metal bar structures.

The controversial seats comprise of three sparse metal rods – with barely any surface to rest on – and have caused outrage among members of the public.

Councillor Reid has vowed more "normal" benches will be added in the summer.

Commenting on the widespread condemnation of the station furniture, Councillor Reid said: “Someone said to me, ‘I know it is Stagecoach – but those seats look like something you would tether your horse to.’

He added: “We have taken the criticism on board. We don’t want an elderly person or disabled person to have to sit on a ‘pole.’

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.”

Promising new seats, he said: “They will be going in one way or the other.”

Councillor Reid, of the Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse ward, is one of many who are disappointed by the design.

The seats were added recently as part of a bus station makeover. They are here to stay, however, and new benches will be additional rather than replacements.

The bus station makeover faced delays after a contractor went out of business – before the Covid pandemic.

The revamp plan for the transport hub includes improvements to the roof and station concourse.

A refurbishment of the shopmobility office, ticket counter and installation of a new disabled toilet were also included in upgrade plans.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has been funding the work, which has involved the Ayrshire Roads Alliance in partnership with East Ayrshire Council and Wylie Shanks Architects.

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