PEDESTRIANISING Tron Place and building a cable car to the top of the Haylie Brae are just two of the innovative suggestions put forward by residents as a consultation on how to improve Largs gets underway.

Locals have been taking part in workshops aimed at finding ideas to ‘Make Largs Better’ as part of a new pilot project being run by North Ayrshire Council.

The News asked residents how they would improve the town, with some simple ideas alongside some more outlandish suggestions residents believe could re-establish Largs firmly on the tourist map.

Local businessman Ale Nardini believes possible improvements to the town centre including free wifi would be a big boost - as well as putting forward an outside-the-box proposal for a cable car to take people to a view point at the top of the town.

He said: “Free wi-fi would be a good start, and perhaps Tron Place could be developed into a pedestrianised area.

“If money was no object, a cable car linking the town to the Haylie Brae would make us stand out from the rest and make us worthy of the title Jewel of the Clyde.”

Residents have been calling for Tron Place to be pedestrianised for over a decade, with the street only closed off to traffic during previous Yuletide evenings.

Community activist Caroline Morgan also backed the suggestion to make Tron Place car-free, whilst local firefighter Paul Lamont suggested making Aitken Street and Boyd Street one-way.

Calls have also been made for a community centre to give the town’s youngsters more to do when not at school.

Local lady Angela Darroch said: “There is nowhere decent for our youngsters to hang out such as the old Helter Skelter, or even something like a new ten-pin bowling alley.

“The town has always been bad for providing youth-focussed amenities, but we also need a community centre that can be used by all ages.”

Locals also told the News they would like to see something to rival Greenock’s Beacon Arts Centre, but said even something on a 'smaller scale' would be welcome.

Other suggestions from residents included more picnic benches with BBQ areas along the shorefront, a cinema and pubs with a license to open later in the evenings.