Kilwinning Road/ Burns Street, Irvine - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken by George McMaster, possibly in the 1960s(?). We are looking from the current location of the junction of Kilwinning Road and the Northern Approach Road, almost due south towards the historic town centre. The distant spire (in the centre, to the left of 2nd concrete lamppost) belongs to the 1774 Irvine Old Parish Church: www.flickr.com/photos/crawfordfulton/7709148580/in/set-72...
B 38 Irvine Road From Kilwinning Redburn - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken by George McMaster.
67 and 71 NEW TOWN PLANS - by Crawford Fulton
This time we are going to have a wee look at the 'thinking' behind the shape of the whole new town. The first plan (1967) showed the locations of various land uses and the proposed road network; as you can see from the photo, it also showed the creation of a new town centre, somewhere to the south of Stanecastle. The 1971 plan moved the town centre to an area due west of Irvine's historic Cross. This necessitated: the demolition of a 400 year old bridge; the complete destruction of the heart of Fullarton (a separate community until the late 19th Century); the devastation of most of Waterside, a beautiful, tranquil, part of the town; the creation of ugly settings for three of the town's churches (Trinity, Wilson Fullarton and Fullarton); the visual cutting off of the town centre from the Harbouside; and the creation of a very poor impression of the Royal Burgh from the railway station. I could produce a very long list of other adverse consequences which flowed from this 1971 plan revision. To sum up this 1971 Masterplan in two words: 'completely nuts'.
It has been said that the relocation of the town centre was due to pressure the town's traders. I find it hard to believe that the IDC ever listened to anyone's objections to anything.
The Water Bridge and the Rivergate Bridge Together (1972-73?) - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken by George McMaster. Here we see the concrete piers of the new shopping centre being constructed in the foreground and the historic bridge being demolished behind it. For me the phrase 'it would bring a tear to glass eye' has never had more relevance. We have lost more than we have gained.