Sustrans has worked with North Ayrshire Council to create a new traffic-free path for walking, wheeling and cycling – part of a significant new development to regenerate the coastal town of Ardrossan.
Local resident Chris thinks the new path will be a "boost to the community". Credit: Michael Kelly/Sustrans.
“Ardrossan used to be a thriving wee town. It’s lost that. And it needs something to bring some energy back into the place.”
Summing up the significance of the development currently taking place in Ardrossan, local resident Chris was the first person to use the new coastal path, along with his dog, Blue.
Developed by Sustrans in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, the new path has opened up a section of Ardrossan’s coastline to people walking, wheeling and cycling.
The area has long been derelict, part of an old oil refinery site that is now being regenerated into ‘Ardrossan Coastal Quarter’ - home to a new education campus, residential housing and businesses.
Putting active travel at the heart of new development
Sitting right on the waterfront, the scheme will make the most of Ardrossan’s beautiful coastal location, whilst crucially providing opportunities for lifelong learning and academic excellence in an area ranked amongst the most deprived in Scotland.
While the Coastal Quarter is in the early stages of construction, the new coastal path was opened to the public last Thursday 28 August.
Situated between the new development and the seafront, the new link provides an accessible and spacious route for walking, wheeling and cycling – putting real transport choice firmly at the heart of this ambitious new development.
The coastal path kicks off the redevelopment of Ardrossan's northern shoreline. Credit: Michael Kelly/Sustrans.
Once the Quarter is complete, the path will be essential in connecting people to education, to local businesses, and to their homes.
Meanwhile, it provides an accessible, safe and enjoyable option for locals to get outside and lead active lives – hopefully gaining a newfound appreciation for the town’s beautiful shoreline with views across to Arran.
Local Ardrossan Academy pupil Harry said:
“I cycle local, like to get to my gran's house or to go to the shops or something. I normally cycle to school every morning, unless it’s really rainy or really windy.
“I find it quite peaceful and calming, and therapeutic. I like cycling along the beach and stuff, so this path helps with that. I’ll use this path quite a lot, more so when I’m at my gran’s because it’s just over the street.”
Local school pupil Harry and school campus police officer PC Poulter both use two wheels to get around every day. Credits: Michael Kelly/Sustrans.
Improving our National Cycle Network for everyone
Developed through Sustrans’ Network Development programme funded by the Scottish Government, the path has replaced what was previously a very poor on-road section of the National Cycle Network Route 753.
For years, users of this part of the route were required to mix with traffic and heavy-duty vehicles on what is a busy main road in Ardrossan.
The new path replaces this with an 850m long traffic-free walking, wheeling and cycling coastal link.
Mostly segregated, the route allows cyclists and pedestrians to move freely and safely.
Towards the northern end, the path then becomes shared use, to connect with what will be the new education campus.
Chris, famed owner of Blue the dog, foresees the path being of particular help to those with less mobility:
“It’ll certainly encourage people who aren’t quite as active, because it’s firmer ground for them to walk along. They can take in the views as they’re coming along, and it’s fairly sheltered. The retaining wall’s fantastic for keeping the weather off them, the wind anyway.
"There are a lot of old people who like to take their dogs down along the shore there. Some of them are not quite as steady on their feet. This here’s going to be a boost for them, because they can walk all the way round now. It's fantastic.”
Wrapping around the shoreline, the new NCN 753 route is smooth underfoot with benches along the way, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Can you spot Arran? Credit: Michael Kelly/Sustrans.
Joining up active travel with public transport
The path is also connected to other recent improvements for active travel in the area and now completes an impressive 8km long traffic-free stretch between Ardrossan Harbour and Seamill.
Linking directly to Ardrossan Harbour train station and ferry terminal, these improvements will help local people access sustainable transport options for longer journeys, without needing to drive.
With hopes high for investment to reopen the ferry crossing to the nearby island of Arran, the new link from the Harbour will help encourage visitors to spend time in Ardrossan, appreciate its coastline and visit local businesses before their onward trip.
The traffic-free paths link all the way to Ardrossan Harbour Station. Why not take your bike with you? Credit: Michael Kelly/Sustrans.
Working in collaboration to create healthy lifestyle choices
Sustrans joined project partners, local councillors and members of the community last Thursday in Ardrossan to open the path to the public.
After cutting the ribbon, Local Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, had this to say:
"The whole campus is going to benefit not just children and parents, but the wider community, because it encompasses a whole lot of council services and council facilities.
"And I think it’s important that when kids are coming to school, when people are coming to exercise, going to the pool, going to the gym, it seems odd to get in the car.
“So, this active transport route will mean that people can get on their bikes, get on their scooters, and they can come to the new campus, they can do what they’re going to do, and then they can cycle or scoot or walk home. And that of course seems like a holistic way to approach this.”
Project partners and members of the community celebrated the first step in the Ardrossan Coastal Quarter regeneration. For once, the rain held off. Credit: Michael Kelly/Sustrans.
The Ardrossan Coastal Path was made possible by funding of £1,533,000 from the Scottish Government, via Sustrans’ National Cycle Network Development programme.
Construction was carried out by RJ Mcleod.
The path and the wider active travel improvements it links to have been achieved through close collaboration and partnership working between Sustrans, North Ayrshire Council and Transport Scotland’s trunk roads team.
This year, the National Cycle Network celebrates its 30th birthday.
