Largs in on the right track to make it a cycle friendly town, while the Scottish Government has recognised the need to take cyclists off some of our busy roads, and provide a bike link between Gourock and Ardrossan.

The National Planning Document, which details planning access for potential developments throughout Scotland, has highlighted a cycle path network linking Gourock to Ardrossan which would encompass a cycle link taking riders off the busy A78.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority have commissioned a feasibility study costing £25,000 looking into a cycle path between Largs and Skelmorlie.

The ‘News’ can also reveal that Largs Matters business group are also making in-roads to making Largs a ‘cycle friendly town’ by providing various parking areas for bikes passing through Largs, in a bid to make the town a more attractive place for cyclists to visit to capatalise on the sporting boom following back to back Tour De France wins for Brits Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins. At a recent Fairlie Community Council meeting, villager Ron Cooper, who is a local representative for the Sustrans group, was very positive about the cycle plans.

He said: “A cycle pathway between Ardrossan and Gourock would be an ideal way to attract more people to the local area, while a new Fairlie coastal path could be multi-use, and would complement the widened cycle path between the Pencil and Anthony Road in Largs, and help open up the whole of the north coast for cyclists.” The situation would see match funding between the local authority and Sustrans, explained Mr Cooper, and is also being driven by Ayrshire Leader which encourages innovation and co-operation by supporting new and innovative projects which tackle local rural development issues, a part-European funded programme.

Mr Cooper continued: “The new National Planning Framework refers to national long distance cycling and a requirement for route 753 Gourock to Ardrossan referring to new sections which would possibly be built over the next five years.” “I believe that having an improved cycle route through this area is going to bring tourism local and national and international through this part of the country and that can only be good for the economy and because this is an important part of the coast and is the jumping off part going for Arran, Cowal and Millport.” “You only have to go as far as Kilbirnie to see the boost the cycle track has given the town as you have lots of people not just cycling but walking and using their cafes and various other amenities - just because they are attracted by the cycle route. It also encourages people to leave their cars.

“I have spoken to North Ayrshire Council and they are very positive behind it, and they have already turned Irvine into a cycle friendly area and they are very keen to promote these cycling opportunities. Sustrans would also be keen to promote the track in Largs.” “Developing a safe cycle route from Largs to Inverkip is essential to allow safe cycling from Ardrossan to Gourock.” The successful multi-user cycle path which has been built at Largs Pencil to Anthony Road along the foreshore is also coming to Fairlie during the coming year, as the seafront path between Bay Street and The Causeway is being pushed by North Ayrshire Council, in another tie-up with Sustrans.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson said: “Establishing a designated cycling path is much safer than cycling on the A78 and the SNP Government supports the creation and expansion of such paths across Scotland to encourage more people to cycle for health, economic and environmental reasons.

“Cycling tourism brought £239 million into Scotland last year and locally is a mainstay of Cumbrae’s tourist economy. We want to encourage other North Coast communities to benefit more from cycling.

“National Planning Framework 3, by ensuring cycling is included as a National Development will be ensure greater investment in cycling in the North Coast and across Scotland.” Mr John Hamilton, manager of the Largs Matters business group, is meeting with the North Ayrshire Council access officers this week. He said: “Largs is a popular destination for cyclists. It is also apparently on the Lands End to John O’Groats cycle route. Several businesses in the town have identified cyclists as a group who come and spend money in the local area on a regular basis, so it makes sense that we look at improving their facilties and provided an enhanced infrastructure, and make them welcome in the town.

“We are looking at better cycle parking within the town centre, amd we are happy to work on that and other initiatives to help promote the area as cycle friendly.” A spokesman for North Ayrshire Council said: “We are in the process of carrying out a feasibility study, part-funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, on cycle route provision between Skelmorlie and Largs, In Fairlie, we are preparing options and designs for a coastal path and will be consulting on these later this month.”