Diann Neill, a resident of Kilmarnock, has expressed strong opposition to Ayrshire Roads Alliance's (ARA) proposal to convert Stevenson Street into a one-way route. She argues that the plan, intended to improve safety after a child was seriously injured by a car on nearby Bonnyton Road in March 2026, could actually make the road more hazardous.
Concerns over visibility and speed
Neill, who lives at the junction of Irvine Road and Stevenson Street, claims that making the street one-way would reduce visibility in one direction and encourage drivers to speed up. She stated: “It’s encouraging people to go faster down the street because they know there’s nothing coming up the other way.” She added that the puffin crossing on Bonnyton Road is effective, but the changes to Stevenson Street are counterproductive.
Under the proposal, Neill would have to navigate a detour involving two sets of traffic lights to access her own driveway. She noted that the angled driveway and parked cars already make maneuvering difficult, and the one-way restriction would exacerbate the issue.
Lack of consultation
Neill claims she and many neighbours were unaware of the plans until she saw a social media post from a local business. She said: “I’ve heard nothing about this and that’s obviously going to impact the access to my driveway.” After contacting ARA, she was directed to a public notice but found no online information. She also discovered that her postcode was not listed as affected, despite her driveway being on Stevenson Street.
Additionally, 14 homes on Irvine Road access their properties via Stevenson Lane, a close off Stevenson Street, and were not informed. Neill has taken it upon herself to notify neighbours and contact councillors, describing the process as exhausting while balancing work and childcare.
Public meeting scheduled
A public meeting has been arranged for Tuesday, June 30 at East Ayrshire Council’s headquarters on London Road at 5.30pm to address residents' concerns. Neill worries that the detour via Munro Avenue or Fullarton Street could create new safety issues, potentially leading to further road changes.
Jane Corrie, Head of Roads at Ayrshire Roads Alliance, provided accident data for the area: a serious child knockdown in March 2026, a serious pedestrian strike in September 2019, and a slight vehicle collision in July 2018. She stated that ARA has received numerous public concerns about safety at the Stevenson Street and Bonnyton Road junction over the years.
