A NEW pathway initiative has been launched in Troon for later this year.

South Ayrshire Paths Initiative (SAPI) is hoping to create an attractive and safe, all-user, path network, which will link communities throughout South Ayrshire.

Colin Clark, from SAPI, attended a Troon Community Council meeting last week to explain ideas on how the community run group hopes to connect towns and villages.

He said: “We are wanting to make a difference to travelling in South Ayrshire and we want it for all people, it is not just for cyclists and walkers, it’s for people with prams and so on.

“One of our aims is to see towns and villages and coastal communities connected via car free routes, giving access to all of South Ayrshire.

“This would add benefits to everyday life – the economy, the tourist industry and the environment.

“How we will achieve this is working in partnership with South Ayrshire Council for them to give us the thumbs up because we are just a community run group.

“We have also been to the Ayrshire Roads Alliance. The reason I am here is because Troon is obviously on the cycle path route and we want to propose new paths and upgrades.

“The key thing with these projects is the public consultation – a good example is that there is a proposed path from Dundonald to Barassie that would be away from the roads because the road is just too busy especially for people walking and pushing prams and so on.

“We are also doing a one path initiative and this is about promoting shared respect and enjoyment of public spaces and there will be a public consultation on the behavioural changes in people using the routes, along with the challenges of Troon Promenade, for example, cyclists cycling too fast which can be a problem.

“We are going to set up a group called ‘The Troon Cycle Friendly Toon’ where the name might change – but we want to invite the community council along to it so we can talk about what we can improve, like, the pavements, routes, making it safe along the promenade for everyone to use and making it safe for children to walk and cycle to schools in Troon.

“We are doing two pilots - one in Troon and one in Ayr and possible one in Girvan. It is not just cycle routes and connecting them up – it is the settlements as well.

“The important thing is, is the public consultation – I’m hoping by the end of October we can get the public in one afternoon with pictures on the wall and boards that they can vote and it is up to them.”

Stewart Turner, Head of the Ayrshire Roads Alliance, commented: “One of the best ways to enjoy and fully appreciate the wonderful local scenery is by getting out and about on foot, wheels, or even horse, and our network of paths are an ideal way of doing this.

“These provide shared spaces to be enjoyed by walkers, joggers and cyclists alike and we’re happy to support a campaign which puts mutual respect at its heart, and would ask that anyone using the paths takes time to respect the space of others as they discover our amazing scenery for themselves.”