GROUNDWORK FOR EAST AYRSHIRE'S LUGAR WATER PROJECT

M.A.M Contracting enjoyed working with East Ayrshire Leisure Organisation by rehabilitating the rural paths along the course of Lugar Water. After carrying out a full inspection, the following route was refurbished with the addition of fences, drainage systems, gates, signage, etc. 

MAM Contracting were responsible for the upgrade of rural paths along the Lugar Water, addressing issues such as wet and eroded pathways to improve the overall experience for walkers and cyclists. Their work encompassed tasks like path surfacing, drainage, fencing, gates, signage installation, and other necessary enhancements. By executing these upgrades, MAM Contracting contributed to the project's objectives of promoting outdoor recreation, community spirit, improved health, access to heritage, and more in the Cumnock Area.

The Scottish countryside attracts plenty of tourists around the year because of its natural heritage, especially during summers when the heat calls for a relaxing vacation with leisure activities, and with each passing year, the number of local and international tourists has surged tremendously. Due to the increasing popularity and spreading culture, the routes of the existing paths had become wet, muddy, and eroded. This not only posed a health and safety challenge for walkers and cyclists but also affected the natural beauty of the place by tainting its aesthetics. For people who seek outdoor adventure and a connection to nature or the history of Scotland, the aim was to provide them with the best experience.
 

Working To Create Innovative Solutions
 

In order to upgrade the outdoor recreation and tourism in the East Ayrshire area, and the M.A.M Contracting team developed innovative solutions focusing solely on fixing the Lugar Water trail to benefit the entire community. Let's take a look at its objectives along with their benefits:

• To uplift the attractiveness of a destination and promote community regeneration through outdoor activities and the tourism industry by offering a service that can draw tourists and recreational visitors to the Cumnock Area, thus generating revenue within the surrounding communities, which benefits both residents and visitors.

In Scotland, the outdoor recreation industry is a valuable asset that is expanding quickly, as it not only leads to an improved quality of life for the residents but also has the potential to give young people the knowledge and opportunities, they need to appreciate the outdoors in every aspect by providing opportunities for physical activity, relaxation, connecting with nature which in turn impacts their overall well-being. The Cumnock Area was extensively marketed on a local and national level, and with greater engagement comes a greater chance for job creation and linked local businesses to flourish, most likely in the hospitality and heritage sectors.

 The Lugar Water Trail was managed effectively and seamlessly incorporated into neighbouring land uses with the needs of all the involved parties in mind. This enhanced relationships between the individuals who used the public path and the landowners strengthened the community bond by bringing everyone together and fostering a sense of enhancing the quality of life.

• To promote green initiatives in the community by prioritizing sustainable transportation options such as walking and cycling, which results in lower CO2 emissions and better air quality, by designing a network of pedestrian-friendly travel routes. It reduces the reliance on vehicles, which can lead to a stronger commitment to environmental preservation.  

The Cumnock Area is ideal for an active transport network. The project made the most of its potential by reconstructing a rural path that connects villages and points of attraction. Taking advantage of the area's diversity of landscape types generated curiosity that may be lacking in more metropolitan settings. Offering these choices increased the effort put out to achieve the goals outlined in the National Transport policy.

To educate and create awareness about the Irvine Valley's heritage to the local community and visitors by creating a product that attracts heritage lovers interested in history and culture. 

Through recreational work, the Cumnock region's cultural landmarks were marketed as a resource to attract tourists, as it improved the overall visiting experience by encouraging people to engage with the local community and appreciate the area's heritage. Moreover, the development of the interpretation was organized effectively in collaboration with the communities and other local organizations, and responsible access to heritage sites was also encouraged.

To promote and facilitate streamlined accessibility to the Scottish countryside by reforming the trail route, providing signs, and decreasing obstacles while simultaneously providing accessible opportunities for everybody.

The project enhanced the relationship between the Cumnock and the conservation village Ochiltree while paving the path to key places of interest such as the Barony School, Sports Village, The Core Project, Dumfries Estate, Barony a Frame, Auchinleck Estate and the River Ayr Way. The existing trail network included a variety of pathways that should only be used by those with good physical health and are wearing waterproof footwear, but as the obstacles were lowered, and the quality of the path surface was improved, the participation by users was more diverse, and user engagement rose significantly. Also, signs were installed on all the minor roads where no surface work was required to maintain coherency. Hence, it is now easier for tourists and locals to access and navigate the destination.

Regeneration efforts like these encourage more people to go out and explore, so establishing signs and beautifying public places has been given priority. It would make it safer to go to work or school and make it simpler to access recreational activities, promoting a healthier lifestyle and improving the connection with nature. Also, improved signs helped in the promotion of common routes.