Community Councillor John Riddell has explained Fairlie Community Trust's reasoning behind a new shore path.

In a statement to the Largs & MIllport News he said: " As most Fairlie residents will know the Trust has, for some time, been endeavouring to construct the missing length of the shore footpath between the north end of Ferry Row and the south end of Bay Street. After considerable effort the Trust has secured planning and other statutory consents for this 175 metre length, as well as agreements with the owner of the land and adjoining residents. With assistance from Scottish and Southern Energy the Trust has been able to employ experienced engineering consultants to design and cost the work.

In developing that design the Trust has sought to achieve a reasonable balance between effective use of the path and safeguarding the amenity of the shoreline and adjoining homes. In an area exposed to high tides and storms no path can be safely usable 100% of the time, and thus the level has to be a compromise between occasional flooding, protecting privacy and, of course, cost." Mr Riddell added: "The Trust would greatly welcome the completion of this missing length of path by North Ayrshire Council and, subject to agreement on the final design, would be very pleased to work with the council in securing its early construction.

"However, Fairlie Community Trust must stress that it has no plans to undertake work on improving or enlarging those lengths of the existing path extending from the north end of Ferry Row south to the south carpark. The Trust has no consents or agreements to carry out any work along this length and has made no proposals to the local community about this much more extensive and potentially more controversial project." Full story in the Largs & Millport Weekly News of April 23.