Damage in excess of £200,000 has been caused by vandals at Cumnock bus station.
Figures released by Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) following a Freedom of Information request by Ayrshire Live revealed the full extent of the vandalism that has plagued the bus station over the past four years.
Along with damage to the seating, vandals have smashed a total of 77 glass panes which has made constantly repairing them unviable.
In 2020, Cumnock bus station was refurbished at a cost of £800,000 but has remained a constant target for vandals in the area ever since.
CCTV has been installed at the bus station in an attempt to deter vandals and it is understood that ARA is in the process of installing a PA system to add to the deterrent.
Ayrshire Live can also exclusively reveal that the leading alternative to replace the smashed glass panes is toughened polycarbonate – a material that is around 250 times more resistant to impact than glass.
According to ARA, there have been a total of eight incidents of vandalism in the last four years including three in each of 2023 and 2024 (up to December 11).
In total, only £3,870 of tax payers money has been spent repairing the damage so far as some has been covered by insurance and many repairs are outstanding as an alternative to the glass panels is sought.
In 2021, there was only one incident of vandalism in which one glass pane was damaged but the cost of replacing it was £2,670.
The following year, 17 windows were damaged in one incident but the cost – potentially in excess of £45,000 – was covered by ARA’s insurance.
Following a review of the insurance policy, no other incidents of vandalism were covered as the bus station is unmanned meaning the tax payer will have to foot the entire cost.
In 2023, vandals targeted the seating in three separate incidents, costing ARA £1,200.
Up to December 11, ARA had recorded a total of 59 glass panels that had been destroyed in three separate incidents by vandals in 2024.
These are all yet to be replaced – a like-for-like cost in excess of £155,000 – as ARA explore options for an alternative.
No money was spent on repairs in 2024.
Jane Corrie, head of roads at Ayrshire Roads Alliance said: “The insurance company agreed to cover the original damages but have since reviewed the council’s policy and confirmed the bus station is not covered as it is an unmanned structure and therefore falls out with the terms of the policy.
“The main alternative material being considered is toughened polycarbonate.
“No committee approval is required, however given the high profile nature of the facility members will be fully consulted throughout the process and involved in the decision making.”
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