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New coastal path connecting Ardrossan
A new path and active travel route – which forms part of wider plans that will ensure getting around Ardrossan and surrounding areas has never been easier – was officially opened today.
The Ardrossan Coastal Path is a key element of the wider regeneration plans for the area and will complement and co-exist alongside the new Community Campus which is currently being constructed on the site.
The path has been designed and constructed in partnership between North Ayrshire Council and Sustrans, through £1.5 million Scottish Government funding via Sustrans’ National Cycle Network Development programme. The new link extends to approximately 850m in length with wider active travel connections of over 1.2km.
Part of National Cycle Network Route 753, the northern end connects recently constructed North Crescent Coastal Path, a fully off-road active travel route completed in 2024 connecting Ardrossan to the Montfode Roundabout and onwards to Seamill . To the south, the path provides a safe, off-road route to Ardrossan Harbour, complemented by the recently improved path to Ardrossan Harbour Station.
Quote: I’m pleased to welcome the official opening of improvements to the Ardrossan Coastal Path. The Scottish Government has invested over £1.5 million to improve this section of the National Cycle Network – creating traffic free sections to make cycling easier and safer for everyday journeys. This route capitalises on the natural coastal beauty that Ardrossan enjoys and builds on wider regeneration work which is underway. Through this infrastructure, more people will be able to save money, live healthier lives and make the choice to leave the car at home. To support the ambitions of Scotland’s local authorities for similar improvements, we are investing £188 million into active and sustainable transport in 2025-26. This will help ensure we make it easier for more people to walk, wheel and cycle for shorter everyday journeys.”
Quote from: Fiona Hyslop MSP, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport,
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, cut the ribbon during the formal ceremony before guests, including local young people, were given a tour of the path.
He said: “We are delighted that the new Ardrossan Coastal Path is officially open. It will be a real asset to the people of Ardrossan and am sure it will be enjoyed by many people, young and old, over the coming weeks, months and years.
“This very site was previously vacant and derelict land and to see the transformation in a number of months is extremely exciting. The Ardrossan Coastal Quarter not only includes this path and the new Community Campus, but also will support residential and commercial development. The potential is enormous and it’s fantastic that we are now in a position to open this path.
“It also ties in with our sustainable travel ambitions and gives local people a chance to be active, whilst enjoying the environment and wonderful surroundings we have here in North Ayrshire.”
Fiona MacLeod, Director for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at Sustrans, said: “Replacing an on-road section of National Cycle Network Route 753, this new path opens up Ardrossan’s scenic coastline to people walking, wheeling and cycling.
“We’re thrilled that this link completes a now 8km traffic-free stretch between Seamill and Ardrossan Harbour. Providing accessible local connections like this makes active and sustainable travel possible for more people – whilst benefitting our health and supporting our communities to thrive.
“As part of the emerging Coastal Quarter, this new path will be crucial in connecting people to education, homes and businesses. By putting active travel at the heart of new developments, we're helping people live well and ensuring a lasting positive impact for the local community.”
Published: 29 August 2025