Fairlie: £1 million coastal path project completed

Work on the third and final part of the path began earlier this year and, this month, North Ayrshire Council officially opened the new route.

As well as improving access to the beach and coastline, it connects previous phases which have already proved extremely popular.

The latest phase has completed the link between Bay Street and the Fairlie Viewpoint path, ensuring a continuous traffic-free walking, wheeling and cycling path along the waterfront for people of all abilities.

A long-running campaigner for the Fairlie shore path to be built is Zoe Maclean, a former young citizen of the year in the village.

She said: "It is great to have the path open at long last as it has been a long wait to get to this stage.

Smiles better: Zoe Maclean is delighted to have full access to Fairlie shorefront for the first time (Image: Zoe Maclean)

"It is not just me but for anybody visiting the village in a scooter, wheelchair or pushchair, it is such a big improvement in terms of access, and the big bonus is you don't have to go near the busy main road.

"I have been pleasantly surprised by how busy it has been since it opened and that is great." 

Forming part of the wider Ayrshire Coastal Path, the route can be accessed from the picnic site and car park at the south of the village.

The £633,084 third phase of the project was funded by the Scottish Government and designed and delivered through a partnership between the council and Sustrans.

The final phase of the Fairlie Coastal Path was constructed by local civil engineering contractor, W.I & A Gilbert, with design works and site supervision undertaken by the engineering consultancy AECOM.

Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for environment, said: “Firstly, we would like to express our thanks to local residents for their patience and support during the construction phase.

“We are absolutely delighted that work on the final phase of the Fairlie Coastal Path has now been completed. We are sure it will be a massive asset to the local community and to people walking, wheeling, cycling and visiting the area.

“It will provide safer, traffic-free access along our coastline and be a wonderful spot for people to take in our scenery and enjoy the outdoors.

“We are committed to providing active travel routes and means for people to easily get out and about and this is another excellent example of that.”

Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for transport, said: “I welcome the completion of the final stage of the Fairlie Coastal Path, which was completed through over £633,000 of funding from the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Sustrans Scotland through the National Cycle Network programme.

“The improvements to the path will make it safer and more accessible for the local community, to travel along our coastline, giving them a more sustainable travel option that will improve access to key services as well as the waterfront in Fairlie."

Emilia Hanna, head of national cycle network at Sustrans Scotland, added: “We are delighted to see work finish on this phase of the Fairlie Coastal Path project.

“When we make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle, we save lives.

“We hope that it will be a well-loved space that gives people the confidence to make healthier and more sustainable choices for their everyday journeys.”

The total project cost for all three phases is estimated at just over £1m.