AN Ardrossan-based charity has received the back of nine national organisations as it aims to highlight the safety risk of the Ardrossan Connections proposals.

The project, which has been devised by Sustrans Scotland, North Ayrshire Council and Ardrossan Community Development Trust, plans to put a cycle route through Ardrossan to “improve the experience for everyone using National Cycle Network Routes going through Ardrossan whether they choose to walk, cycle or wheel”.

The plans, however, caught the eye of The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety (ScotCPS) who felt that the project raised a number of safety issues which would affect the daily lives of the elderly, disabled, sensory impaired people, dog walkers and even families with young children.

Their main concerns regard the use of floating bus stops and continuous footways throughout the plans – something executive manager of the charity, Alan Bell BCAe feels poses the greatest safety risks for vulnerable groups.

And he does not stand alone in his views, having now received numerous letters of support for his campaign from national organisations.

They have all, like the ScotCPS, written letters of concern to Sustrans and North Ayrshire Council asking for the proposed plans to be made safer for all people, not just the able bodied.

READ MORE: Accessibility concerns highlighted over Ardrossan shared path plans

These include many of the country’s leading organisations for people with sensory impairment including RNIB Scotland (Royal National Institute of Blind people), The Scottish Sensory Hub and Health & Social Care Alliance Scotland, Deafblind Scotland, Guide Dogs Scotland, Sight Scotland & Sight Scotland Veterans and Visibility Scotland.

Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson and Colette Walker, leader of Independence for Scotland Party, have also written letters of concern lending their support to the ScotCPS safety campaign.

Mr Bell commented: “We have received a tremendous amount of support for our safety campaign from organisations supporting people with disabilities and the elderly.

“We really hope that all of our safety concerns will be addressed in the forthcoming revised cycle route plans because the alternative will not only result in accidents but will also leave many vulnerable people unable to use public transport or visit shops on Ardrossan’s main streets.

“I can see the attraction of allowing cyclists to cycle through Ardrossan without stopping but safety must come first. We sincerely hope that common sense will prevail and the new plans will be safer for all.”