The old railway track which used to run from Ayr to Bucklands at Girvan has since been turned into a cycle path which runs parallel to Dunure Road.

The track used to run under the tunnel and make its way along the Ayrshire coastline. But since then it has been tarred and the tunnel has been filled with rubble and soil.

Cllr Bill Grant raised the issue at an Alloway and Doonfoot community council meeting recently who believes it needs to be 'cleared out' to become safer.

Speaking to the Ayr Advertiser Series he said: "I had raised the topic at the public meeting because it is important. Back in the day there were many corrugated tunnels along the line which are still in place.

"But where the track turned to go under the road, is where it has been backfilled and I don't know why.

"I understand there was a bit of movement and a study has been carried out to see if it would be possible to remove the backfill and allow the cycle path to continue under the bridge. 

"I think that would be a nice idea and safer as it would prevent people from having to cross a busy road which does not have a pedestrian crossing."

Ayrshire Roads Alliance have secured money from Sustrans to undertake a feasibility study and to look at the engineering requirements for the removal.

Cllr Grant continued: "This is a safe investment and I hope it comes out positive. Keen cycling or walking enthusiasts could make their way towards Girvan and Bucklands - the original stop.

"There are some problems with rivers and caravan sites, for example Heads of Ayr and Croy, which sit on the line. This would mean the idea is not viable. 

"I have not heard back from the Ayrshire Roads Alliance yet."

At the moment cyclists can join the National Cycle Route 7 which runs past Greenan and leads to Troon. National Route 7 forms two-thirds of the famous Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route before heading north to Glasgow via Glen Trool Forest and the Ayrshire coast, before passing through two National Parks - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and Cairngorms.

Stewart Turner, Head of the Ayrshire Roads Alliance said: “We’re committed to developing the local cycling network to help people commute to work, enjoy the countryside and to live healthier lives.

“Cycling is a great form of exercise and a superb leisure pursuit and the area along the old Dunure to Ayr railway line enjoys some truly spectacular scenery.

“In addition to existing work we’re doing at Greenan, we have received additional funding from SUSTRANS which will allow this scheme to be extended by constructing a 3 metre wide shared surface path, from the point where National Cycle Network Route 7 joins Greenan Road, to the existing path at the car park.

“We are also exploring possibilities of extending that cycle network, which could include the removal of debris and in-fill material from the old railway bridge on this route.”