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Justice Service's team helps spruce up footpath
Access to a bowling club has been improved after a team from North Ayrshire’s Justice Service stepped in.
People in Ardrossan asked for help in clearing a footpath that is well used in the community.
The pathway – which is on land owned by a private company and is used regularly by local people to access Ardrossan Bowling Club - had become overgrown. The path is also a key route for visitors to make their way to Ardrossan Castle.
Following an approach to Councillor Tony Gurney from people in his ward, the Unpaid Work team cut back and tidied up the overgrown foliage that was blocking the path.
Quote: There was no legal requirement on the landowners to improve access on the path but it has been well used over the years by locals and is convenient for people getting to the bowling club. The landowners were delighted for our Justice Services officers to make arrangements to improve the area. Once permission was agreed, service users carrying out unpaid work as part of their Community Payback Orders, cut back the shrubs and branches to allow public access.
Quote from: Councillor Tony Gurney, Represents the Ardrossan Ward and is also Council Leader
The Justice Service, which is run through North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, works in partnership with the courts by overseeing court-mandated orders.
Service users carrying out unpaid work gain skills while paying back to their local community.
Community Payback Orders are monitored by social workers or Community Payback officers who liaise with the courts and monitor compliance, ensuring non-custodial options are available that can help to reduce re-offending and address underlying causes of offending.
The aim of unpaid work like the improvements to the path are to support communities without taking away paid employment opportunities.
Councillor Gurney added: “There was absolutely no legal requirement for the team to take on this work. It is simply a great example of the Council and North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership working together to make small changes that mean a lot to the people living in our neighbourhoods.”
Published: 29 October 2026