COUNCIL bosses are considering creating a new pathway after it was revealed that joggers are dicing with death by running along the A78.
The News can reveal that North Ayrshire Council chiefs are examining the possibility of a safe route between Largs and Skelmorlie.
Ian Rutherford, pictured, who was awarded an ambassador role by North Ayrshire Athletics Club in 2014, fears someone could be killed on the busy A78 coastal route currently used by joggers, which is also well used by buses and cars.
News readers have highlighted ‘crazy’ scenes of joggers using the road over recent weeks during the sunny weather.
Largs man Mr Rutherford said: “Speaking as a club runner of North Ayrshire Athletics Club I personally find this practice highly unsafe and extremely dangerous.
“My advice to those concerned is to stop putting the lives of yourselves and fellow road users at risk by running on this stretch of the of the A78.
“It is not worth it and people should instead find safe alternative routes to train.”
The A78 has long stretches with no pavements and motorists were shocked to see joggers using the open road.
Largs Police chief Colin Convery has advised against it and officers have asked the public to report any incidents of joggers using the A78 between Largs and Skelmorlie.
Members of the public have contacted the News to say that the time has come to look at a shorefront path.
Carole Ann of Skelmorlie said: “Isn’t it about time that we had a path for pedestrians and cyclists between Largs and Skelmorlie?”
Allan Scott said: “It’s high time a proper cycle/pedestrian path was built all the way down the coast. Not everyone wants to drive everywhere.”
David Reid added: “I understand it is unsafe to do what they are doing. It’s unsafe to cycle it also, but the only way forward is for parts of the road to be widened and this means approval from landowners.”
A North Ayrshire council spokesperson said: “We are working in partnership with Sustrans to further examine the potential for a route between Largs and Skelmorlie.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:
“The study will be developed in the current financial year and be informed by extensive stakeholder consultation.”
The Scottish Government recently set up The Community Links fund to provide support to double the amount of cycling and walking opportunities in Scotland.
A total of £36m is to be made available over the current financial year to develop walking and cycling paths — up from £15m last year.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the target was to make Scotland an ‘active nation’.
The fund will allow local authorities to be awarded grants to improve walking and cycling routes, on the basis of match funding by the council.