A safe and alternative route through Fairlie was ‘of utmost importance’ after last year’s tragic lorry accident in Fairlie - and will now become a reality.

The design and specification for the coastal path between Bay Street and the South Car Park is being developed in partnership with the Fairlie Community Trust. A number of meetings have been held with the Trust to progress the proposals. Public consultation will be undertaken on the proposals in the near future which will be a multi-users facility for the use of cycling, young children, prams and wheelchairs.

Funding applications were submitted to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Sustrans to secure resources to implement the project.

£200,000 has been secured from SPT and £200,000 has been secured from Sustrans for the project in 2014/15 with further allocations of £180,000 from SPT and £225,000 from Sustrans in 2015/16. This includes funding towards the upgrade of the path linking Fairlie to Clydeport and Hunterston. It is envisaged that the grant offers will be considered by Cabinet on 6 May 2014 and that, subject to the necessary approvals, the project will be implemented thereafter in partnership with the Fairlie Community Trust.

Commenting, local Fairlie resident and Depute Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan Hill said: “I am delighted that such great progress has been made in such a relatively short space of time. A huge amount of officer time has gone into this project and I very much hope that this is received positively by the local community.

“Following the tragic accident in our village it emerged that a safe alternative route through the village was a matter of the utmost importance. It now appears that this has also been recognised by SPT and SUSTRANS too. The investment of almost half a million pounds in walking and cycling links around our village and the wider area is excellent and very welcome news.

“The design of the new path is the subject of detailed ongoing discussions with Fairlie Community Trust and this will now be widened out to allow the entire community of Fairlie to have their say. Assuming that agreement can be reached then we should see work start on Phase 1 of this project in the very near future. When complete the new coastal path will provide an all abilities route for walkers, cyclists, young children and those pushing prams or with mobility problems to get from one end of our village to the other without the fear that often comes from travelling along the very narrow pavements that adjoin the A78. Better still, these new routes will be adopted and maintained by North Ayrshire Council into the future.”