An application for funding of £4,950 received by Ayr Rotary Coastal Path Group to help establish an Ayrshire Coastal Path has been approved by Members of South Ayrshire Council’s Rural Communities Committee.

The project aims to provide healthy exercise and educational stimulation for school children, families and people of from all age groups by forming an easy to walk and accessible coastal path in South Ayrshire.

Due to start in September 2006, and hopefully completed by May 2007, the project will involve the installation of gates, signposts, fences, bridges and path upgrades along the coast from Ayr to Girvan.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Convener of the Rural Communities Committee said:  “This is a very exciting project which will make coastal paths more accessible, and hopefully encourage people to get out and about and get some exercise in the fresh air.

“Local walkers, along with tourists, will walk parts of the coastal path and then spend money in rural economies by popping into shops for items to take on their walk, having a meal before or after their walk, or in the case of tourists staying at a guest house or hotel.”

The Ayr to Girvan project is the start of a three phase project, phase two will link Ayr to Barassie, with a possible link to North Ayrshire and phase three will link Girvan to Glenapp.
 
The Ayr Rotary Coastal Path Group has been working on this project for over two years studying historical detours, preparing feasibility studies, meeting farmers, landowners and Officers from the Council.  A management plan has been prepared for phase one of the project where 90% of the route will require no active management and any maintenance will be carried out voluntarily by the Group. 

The total coast of phase one is £34,900 and the Committee approved funding of £4,950 towards the project subject to a full funding package being put in place by the Group and written evidence being produced indicating that land access agreements are in place.

The Group has already arranged funding in kind from voluntary input of £7,700, and has applied for funding of £20,000 from South Ayrshire Environment Trust and £9,950 from Scottish Natural Heritage.

October 2006