RESIDENTS of West Kilbride have expressed their disbelief after the town was missed out of the route for the Queen’s Baton Relay in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.

The one day tour of North Ayrshire will take place on Tuesday, July 15, just eight days before the start of the 2014 Games in Glasgow and the route in which the baton will take will start at Skelmorlie, taking in Largs and Millport before travelling to the Garnock Valley to Kilwinning, Irvine and then back to the Three Towns.

The town is well known for its ‘Craft Town’ status and continually striving to improve its saleability.

One West Kilbride local, Alan Dapré expressed his dejected view that the town had been missed out. He said: “I was looking forward to West Kilbride being part of the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay.

“After all, West Kilbride is Scotland’s Official Craft Town and works hard to bring tourists in. However, the Commonwealth Baton has travelled across many continents yet can’t seem to make the short jog down the A78 from Largs to West Kilbride.

“Instead it detours up to Kilbirnie through Dalry and ends up at Ardrossan, effectively sidestepping our town.” North Ayrhsire Council explained how the route was chosen in the local area, a spokesperson said: ”Our officers worked with the Queen’s Baton Relay planning team when route options for North Ayrshire were being considered. The final route was determined by the QBR planning team.” Councillor Elizabeth McLardy MBE, said: “It really is quite disappointing that a whole community is being missed out. I would have thought it would make sense to come up the north coast from Largs, through West Kilbride and then onto Kilbirnie and Dalry.

What do you think about the decision? Join in the debate on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ardrossanherald.com/ For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.