A series of 8m high columns are set to be installed through the centre of Ayr’s Low Green to provide public wi-fi access during events like the International Ayr Show.
A public consultation on the proposals attracted just 15 responses with opinions split almost equally between those for, against and neutral towards to the plan.
The survey was undertaken after South Ayrshire Council’s cabinet considered the possibility of creating an ‘event space’ wi-fi service ‘to attract visitors and enhance the digital experience at major events’ in October.
To create the network, hardware requires to be installed. While the existing street lighting columns can be used, an additional four 8m high galvanised columns would need to be installed along the path through the centre of the Low Green.
The council has secured £200k of grant funding to cover the installation as part of the wider Ayrshire 5G Innovation Regions Programme.
However the money needs to be spent by the end of March.
A report to cabinet this week states: “It is anticipated the WiFi Service will provide Economic Development and Tourist benefits through two types of digital internet access:
- Private and restricted service for trader access, to guarantee bandwidth for
sales related activities. - Event attendee service via general public access, which is important for
attracting and supporting major events and enhancing the visitor
experience.
As the Low Green and Esplanade are Ayr Common Good Assets, the council was legally obliged to carry out a public consultation and permission from a sheriff.
One of the responses in favour states: “Ayr seafront is a great asset that needs to continue to develop and grow as an attraction.”
Another added: “Connectivity at the Ayr Show was poor. Being able to coordinate family meeting locations is safety critical.”
Another respondent said: “Sounds a good addition to the area as when lots of people there the phone network doesn’t cope with everyone trying to connect to social media while others trying to make calls.”
However, objectors raised concerns around security and the visual impact.
One said: “The big problem with public WiFi is security, how will SAC make sure connected devices are kept secure?
“In this day and age people are warned against connecting to public WiFi networks as it’s very hard to know for sure there are no bad actors on the system.”
Others described the posts as being ‘unsightly’ and said that the Low Green would be ‘scarred’.
Another said: “I just fear that with mobile connectivity over 4 and 5g, there isn’t a huge need or demand for WiFi and that money would be better used elsewhere.”
The council responded to this representation, saying: “The service is aimed at improving the digital user experience and will be open and available to anyone, when attending events at the Low Green.
“With regards to accessing any public WiFi, attendees should always consider how they use a shared network, for example it would not be recommended to conduct financial or sensitive transactions.
“It is the not responsibility of public WiFi providers to secure personal devices.”
Another objector said: “I do not think free public access to WiFi on the
Low Green is necessary. The costs will outweigh the benefits.
“90+ per cent of public who have mobile devices use their own data which they pay to their provider. Internet costs for visiting traders too are negligible.
The reported reply states: “Mobile connectivity is not available in the area during periods of high demand and public attendance. The provision of digital connectivity is aimed at addressing this.”
The report adds that a sheriff may seek evidence of community support when considering a change of use.
It states: “It is difficult to assess how a Sheriff might judge the arguments for and against the proposal. Nonetheless, the court, in balancing the arguments from both sides is likely to take into consideration the number of responses and the reasons for any objections against any evidence the Council presents of support within the community.”
Councillors will consider proposals to create an Event Space Wi-fi Service on Tuesday, January 21.
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