The project has created a new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling route along the coastline at Fairlie, improving access to the waterfront and key services in the village.
The Fairlie Coastal Path project has created a new and improved off-road path along the waterfront in the North Ayrshire village. Credit: Gary McLaughlin/North Ayrshire Council, 2024.
In November 2024, the third stage of the much-anticipated Fairlie Coastal Path was opened by the local community, elected members and partners.
The project has created a new and improved off-road path along the waterfront in the North Ayrshire village.
Now complete, the route offers improved access to the coastline and key services for residents and visitors to the area.
Inspiration behind the project
Before the works took place, the only route through Fairlie was along the constrained and busy trunk road.
Safety concerns were raised locally over the narrow pavements and close proximity to fast-moving traffic.
Meanwhile the surface at the waterfront was rough and sandy, with gullies making it impassable for some.
This proved isolating for those who were unable to travel from one end of the village to the other.
Local resident, Karen, whose husband Mark was a wheelchair user before he passed away, explains:
“The main A78 runs through [Fairlie], so in certain places navigating the narrow pavements could be treacherous, whether able-bodied or not.
“Fairlie has a beautiful coastline, and the coastal path allowed you to walk for broken distances from the carpark at the south end of the village to Bay Street.
“However, in between there were stretches of path that did not allow a bike to be ridden, a pushchair to be pushed, and definitely not a manual or electric wheelchair to be used”.
Before the works took place, the only route through Fairlie was along the constrained and busy trunk road, with safety concerns raised over the narrow pavements and close proximity to fast-moving traffic. Credit: Gary McLaughlin/North Ayrshire Council, 2024.
Improving access to the waterfront for everyone
The third phase of the project has completed the link between Bay Street and the Fairlie Viewpoint path, creating a continuous, traffic-free walking, wheeling and cycling path along the waterfront for people of all abilities.
Forming part of the wider Ayrshire Coastal Path, the route can be accessed from the picnic site and car park at the south of the village.
In total, 800m of new and upgraded traffic-free path has been laid along the coast.
This has not only improved access to the shoreline but also provided important connections to housing and local businesses along the way.
Karen tells us the route upgrades would have enabled Mark to enjoy the benefits of access to the coastline:
“After his accident he was frustrated that he couldn’t enjoy the coastal path as he had done for many years previously as a walker, cyclist, and sailor.
“With the new path, he would have loved it! To be able to ride along it and enjoy all the benefits of the outdoors, as well as the spectacular views, along with everyone else.
“I think he would have put his foot down and driven himself as fast as he could with a great sense of freedom”.
Celebrations as work completes
On the 13 November the community came together to celebrate the opening of the route alongside elected members and partners.
The group met for a walk along the path, with many sharing stories about their involvement with the project from its very beginning, along the way.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said:
“Firstly, we would like to express our thanks to local residents for their patience and support during the construction phase.
“We are absolutely delighted that work on the final phase of the Fairlie Coastal Path has now been completed. We are sure it will be a massive asset to the local community and to people walking, wheeling, cycling and visiting the area.
“It will provide safer, traffic-free access along our coastline and be a wonderful spot for people to take in our scenery and enjoy the outdoors.
“We are committed to providing active travel routes and means for people to easily get out and about and this is another excellent example of that.”
The third phase of the project has completed the link between Bay Street and the Fairlie Viewpoint path, ensuring a continuous traffic-free walking, wheeling and cycling route along the waterfront for people of all abilities. Credit: Gary McLaughlin/North Ayrshire Council, 2024.
Helping people make healthier and more sustainable choices
Highlighting the benefits of projects such as this for our health, wellbeing and climate, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said:
“I welcome the completion of the final stage of the Fairlie Coastal Path, which was completed through over £633,000 of funding from the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Sustrans Scotland through the National Cycle Network programme.
“The improvements to the path will make it safer and more accessible for the local community, to travel along our coastline, giving them a more sustainable travel option that will improve access to key services as well as the waterfront in Fairlie.
“Over £155 million has been allocated to Active Travel this year, which continues to bring real change to communities across Scotland. For our health, wellbeing and climate, the Scottish Government will continue to invest in active travel projects to help people choose walking, wheeling and cycling for shorter everyday journeys.”
Emilia Hanna, Head of National Cycle Network at Sustrans Scotland, added:
“We are delighted to see work finish on this phase of the Fairlie Coastal Path project.
“When we make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle, we save lives.
“This new route has created a vital traffic-free space, enabling residents and visitors to travel actively along the waterfront away from busy roads, while accessing key services and the local coastline.
“We hope that it will be a well-loved space that gives people the confidence to make healthier and more sustainable choices for their everyday journeys”.
Working in partnership
The third phase of the Fairlie Coastal Path was funded by £633,084 from the Scottish Government and designed and delivered through a partnership between North Ayrshire Council and Sustrans.
It was constructed by local civil engineering contractor, W.I & A Gilbert, with design works and site supervision undertaken by the engineering consultancy AECOM.
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