Funding for 1,000km greenway network

A 1,000km network of greenway paths is to be developed across Northern Ireland with the help of a £160,000 funding injection by Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard.

The traffic-free paths will be used by walkers, runners and cyclists, many making use of disused railways, riverside paths, abandoned canal towpaths or flood embankments.

The minister announced the publication of his Strategic Plan in Dundrum, where a disused stretch of railway track will ultimately be transformed into part of a new Downpatrick to Newcastle greenway.

Under the scheme, councils have secured funding to develop feasibility studies for 20 greenways across Northern Ireland, including one running along the Ulster Canal and a cross-border route linking Enniskillen to Clones.

The minister said: “More and more people are choosing to be active with their travel options and encouraging everyone to lead a more active, healthy life by providing local opportunities is something I and my Executive colleagues are determined to deliver.

“This plan is the pathway to help deliver those opportunities for people across the north, focusing on the development of a 400km primary and 600km secondary greenways network that walkers, runners and cyclists can share.  

“The greenway paths will connect towns and cities to the villages and countryside from east to west and north to south, and will also be integrated with other modes of transport, making it easier for people to leave the car behind.

“Many of the proposed schemes are located on disused railways, riverside paths, abandoned canal towpaths or flood embankments.  This will breathe new life into this redundant infrastructure and create public spaces where people can meet, relax, play or enjoy nature, improving the quality of life for local communities and enhancing the experience for visitors.

“One of my key priorities as outlined in the Programme for Government is to help transform how we travel by increasing the number of people walking, cycling and using public transport which will enhance the region as a place where people want to live and work, to visit and invest.”

The minister paid tribute to the councils that have secured funding to support and develop greenway projects in their area under a small grants competition.

“I am delighted that councils have been part of the development process for this strategic plan and I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years,” he said.  

“To demonstrate my commitment I have more than doubled the initial funding for the grants scheme from £64,000 to £160,000. This means that feasibility studies can be worked up on twenty different proposals right across the north to help councils deliver greenways in their areas in line with this Strategic Plan.

“The competition received a high volume of quality greenway proposals and I am currently considering a capital grant scheme to assist councils further in the delivery of their greenway schemes.

“This plan sets out a framework for a more informed and strategic programme to develop greenway routes across the whole of the north.  While the overall target is ambitious and long term, this is a starting point on which to build a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Jonathan Hobbs from the NI Greenways campaign said: “It's encouraging to see so many councils proposing visionary greenway projects across the country, with support from the Department for Infrastructure to realise their vision.  

“This is an exciting first step towards creating a world class greenway network, which will be a welcome investment in rural development and active travel, enhancing our tourism offering and creating long term employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.”  

A copy of the Strategic Plan for Greenways can be viewed or downloaded from https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/exercise-explore-enjoy-strategic-plan-greenways.

The 20 greenways are:

Ards and North Down - three grants (£24,000 in total. £8,000 to each greenway scheme)

-  Comber to Newtownards greenway;

-  Orlock Point to Donaghadee greenway; and

-  Orlock Point to Holywood greenway.

Fermanagh and Omagh - two grants (£16,000 in total. £8,000 to each greenway scheme)

-  Enniskillen to Clones greenway; and

-  Omagh to Carrickmore greenway

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon - Four grants (£32,000 in total, £8,000 to each greenway scheme)

-  Craigavon to Aghagallon greenway;

-  Portadown – (North of) Moy greenway;

-  Banbridge to Scarva greenway; and

-  Portadown – Caledon (via Armagh) greenway.

Newry, Mourne and Down - four grants (£32,000 in total. £8,000 to each greenway scheme)

-  the Carlingford Lough greenway;

-  Downpatrick to Newcastle greenway;

-  Downpatrick to Ardglass greenway; and

-  Comber to Downpatrick greenway.

Antrim and Newtownabbey - one grant (£8,000)

-  Doagh to Larne greenway;

Lisburn and Castlereagh - one grant (£8,000)

-  Carryduff greenway;

Causeway Coast and Glens - one grant (£8,000)

-  Ballymoney – Ballycastle greenway.

Derry and Strabane - one grant (£8,000)

-  North West Greenway.

Mid and East Antrim - one grant (£8,000)

- Greenisland Greenway.

Mid Ulster - two grants (£16,000 in total. £8,000 to each greenway scheme)

- Clogher Valley Greenway; and

- Ulster Canal Greenway.