A Millport historian who has written a book about the island fears that a new cycle path is ill conceived, and could ruin the heritage of the seafront.

Andrew Clark, a retired journalist, owns a holiday home on the island, and learnt to cycle round Cumbrae as a child, but fears that digging up the grass strip in Kames Bay is a step too far.

Residents have also voiced concerns about whether the scenic palm trees on Millport seafront could be moved, and the matter was debated at Millport Community Council meeting.

Mr Clark said: “I spend every weekend, and most of the summer here, and the consultation took place in the middle of winter - it seems that there were very few options and I don’t think enough thought was given to the process.

“Carving up the seafront is the wrong option in my opinion, as it is giving cyclists three different paths. Apparently there is no byelaw to stop cyclists cycling along the prom.

“I want to stress I have nothing against cyclists, and I am one myself, and love and support cycling as do the people of Millport which has many businssesses associated with it, but I do not feel that this has been well handled - it is not consistent and has not been thought through properly. The most dangerous part of the town for cycling is the edge of town along to Cumbare Slip and there is no plan for putting in a cycle track there.” “This is a conservation area which is popular with families for picnicking, toddlers and dog walkers, and it is going to completely make a mess of the green foreshore.

“I think it is local government planning gone crazy. Nobody has sat down and worked out carefully what is the simplest way to solve the cycling problem, but this isn’t it.” “If you look at any old postcards, holidaymakers have been coming to the green foreshore area for decades.

“My alternative would have been to put a cycle lane next to the existing road - not on the shorefront, pass a byelaw banning cycling from the prom, and put traffic calming measures to slow the traffic down.” “There is no coherent road policy - it requires some long term thinking, not an Edinburgh consultancy coming in with Metropolitan ideas which, in turn, change Millport front into a Blackpool.

Mr Clark added that NAC’s policy on open spaces stated: “Applications for planning permission to change the use of public open spaces owned by North Ayrshire Council, are unlikely to be approved,” and “all contribute to the special character of the Conservation Area”, and “should be protected”.

However, mum Angela Doig, who pressed for the cycle path, stated that residents had plenty of opportunity for the consultation, and insisted it will improve safety.

Angela said: “It started off back in 2013 when myself and two other ladies on the island attempted to get better signage to direct people away from prom.

“The council came over and witnessed the problem, and saw that there was nowhere for cyclists to park their bikes, and in my opinion the consultation in the Garrison included a fair representation of the community.

“We want to promote safe cycling on the island, and as well as information in the Largs and Millport News about the consultation, it was also featured on social media and websites. There was a full lay-out in an open door event at the Garrison for a few hours, and as it stands at the moment, it really is quite treacherous for toddlers and for pedestrians if cyclists are going at some speed on the prom.

“In general, people are encouraged to be involved in everything in the community. Things don’t get done unless people do involve themselves and take the time to do it. The island thrives on cycling tourism and it is something that we have got to look after. There is still going to be ample grass at Kames Bay for everyone.” A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “”No palm trees will be removed during the construction of the path. Three public consultation events took place (December 2013, January 2014 and November 2014) where a preferred route was identified.

“The proposals meet national good practice guidance on path construction and are in keeping with the local environment.

“The new path does not contravene Council Open Space Policy. The construction of the path does not form a change of use and will contribute to the accessibility of the open space.”