Looking at new travel options to provide enhancing walking and cycling access in and around Largs is the purpose of a new study to benefit the town.
The overarching aim is encouraging the greater use of active travel including increased access to public transport, improved access to parks and greenspace within the town, and will tie in with links to the new school campus which opens next March.
In the new feasibility study, North Ayrshire Council have developed suitable routes to school from the northern and southernmost point of the town of Largs, with improvements proposed to benefit these routes.
Markings will be introduced with double yellow lines to emphasis crossing points at Waterside Street and New Street, the footway in Scott Park will be upgraded, and white lines will be painted to designate walking areas in Gateside Street are among some of the improvements.
Sections of narrow pavement on the A78/Greenock Road will also be reviewed.
Key findings from an investigation to target improvement included that signage is 'cluttered with no uniformity', minimal bike parking, and little or limited information provided to active travel users.
In addition to internal consultation, a number of external stakeholders were consulted including Transport Scotland, Sport Scotland, Opportunities in Retirement, Abellio and Largs Community Council.
A request for the promenade to be resurfaced and a review of segregation (walking /cycling) to be explored on completion of resurfacing was one of the findings from the consultation, with plans already rubber stamped for surface improvements to Largs prom.
It is reported by AECOM, who carrying out the study, that the existing path networks in the north east of the town are typically less than 2m wide and require upgrade to improve access to the new school campus. This area also provides access to the core path network along the Gogo Water.
AECOM engaged with the cycling group of Opportunities in Retirement who explained a regular cycle route for their group is around Great Cumbrae. They would wish to see the link south to Fairlie prioritised and completed. The main feedback was as experienced cyclists they find cycling within the town of Largs challenging due to the A78 and gradients especially as you leave via the minor roads
to the north of the town. Overall they would welcome any improvements within the town and as with the public engagement would welcome improved maintenance and signage being expanded.