Safe footpath between Killough and Ardglass needed says Patrick Brown
Alliance MLA Patrick Brown has thrown his weight behind local campaigners and the Ulster Ramblers Association to create an off-road and safe walkway between Ardglass and Killough using the old railway bridge.
Assemblyman Brown said: “I recently met onsite with residents interested in turning the old railway line at Station Road between Ardglass and Killough into a public walkway.
“I think this would be an excellent way to enhance and make safe what is currently one of the most dangerous parts of the Ulster Way.
“My colleague, Alliance Party Councillor Cadogan Enright, is in the process of setting up a meeting with NI Railways following his discovery that they still own the land immediately around the bridge and the bridge itself.”
Councillor Enright said: “The road around Coney Island between Ardglass and Killough is not suitable for either local pedestrians or tourists to the area.
“It is one of four areas of the Lecale Way section of the Ulster Way which needs significant work to bring it up to international walking trails standard.
“The Ulster Ramblers Association have also written to us about this section seeking investment in a new footbridge to replace the ruined bridge whose buttresses are still in good order”.
Cllr Enright has already published books on the folklore of local walks and proposals to develop walks and long-distance trails in East and South Down.
He added: “We have a fantastic series of walks along the Lecale Coast, but they are spoiled by breaks and gaps that would need to be joined up if we are to enhance both their tourist potential and use by residents in villages from Ballykinar, to Ballyhornan and round to Strangford Village.”
Patrick Brown MLA agreed and said; ”Northern Ireland has a long way to go in legislation protecting and enhancing both long-distance walks and links between neighbouring villages. In Scotland, starting in 2003 the Scottish parliament has passed a series of reforms that has made Scotland the best walking destination in Europe. In the Republic investment in Greenways continues with 1,100 kilometres of new Greenway being delivered by 2022.”
“This is an area that needs to be tackled both at Council level and also in Stormont for the benefit not only of local people in Lecale’s villages, but for the betterment of Northern Ireland as a whole”, added Patrick Brown.
