Irvine Bay Coastal Park – a key part of the area’s regeneration strategy – has received a funding boost which will help create a raft of improvements.

And young people and local schoolchildren will be asked to help carry out the work, aimed at improving the natural environment.

Irvine Bay Green Network has received a funding boost of £70,000 from the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Development Fund.

Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Stewart Stevenson, said the funding would result in real action on the ground: “The CSGN project is the biggest greenspace project of its kind in Europe and aims to change the face of central Scotland, by restoring, transforming and greening its landscape.

“Covering nearly 70 per cent of Scotland’s population, the CSGN will make a marked difference to the lives of people living and working in this region.

“This is the second round of funding through the CSGN Development Fund and we will see some very exciting projects take off this year.

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“The whole project is very much a partnership affair with local authorities, greenspace and regeneration organisations and communities working together to create change on a massive scale.”

This money will be spent on projects to make improvements at Irvine Beach Park, the New Town Trail and Ardeer Quarry. Paths will be resurfaced and improved, new picnic areas will be installed, new signage put up with new areas of wildflower and shrub planting. Local schools and young people will be involved in the planting of wildflowers.

This is part of the Irvine Bay Coastal Park and is a partnership between North Ayrshire Council and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company said: “The project will improve the natural environment in Irvine Bay and encourage visitors to the area to enjoy the wonderful coastal parks, paths and open spaces that the area has to offer.

“In addition, the improvements to paths and signage will improve access to green space for local communities and encourage greater use of Irvine Beach Park and the paths that connect with the town and the coast.

“Irvine Bay has a beautiful coast line and making improvements to the parks along the coast encourage people to get out and enjoy the local area.”

An initial feasibility study funded by Central Scotland Green Network was a partnership between Irvine Bay, RSPB and greenspace Scotland. This resulted in the Irvine Bay Green Network being established. This new additional funding of £70,000 is the first phase of implementing the Irvine Bay Green Network. It is anticipated that additional phases of the green network will see woodland and wildflower planting on derelict industrial sites, and further improvements to the network of paths and parks in the area.

This project is a partnership between Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council.

(GK)