Newry Mourne and Down District Council has been successful in securing funding from the Department of Infrastructure to produce three feasibility studies to assess the potential of developing three Greenways within the Council area providing new walking and cycling routes.
The three Greenways to be developed are:
* Downpatrick to Comber along the former Belfast and County Down Railway (in conjunction with Ards and North Down Council). The approximate distance is 29km.
* Downpatrick to Newcastle along the former Belfast and County Down Railway, an approximate distance of 21km.
* Downpatrick to Ardglass along the former Belfast and County Down Railway, an approximate distance of 13 km.
The new Greenways will link to existing sections of Greenway in Northern Ireland, for example the existing Comber Greenway and the currently under construction Connswater Community Greenway thereby opening up a large part of South and East Belfast to the proposed route. This will create an accessible link from Downpatrick to Newcastle, Ardglass and Comber.
These feasibility studies will form the basis of a stage 2 application process to the Department of Infrastructure as a means of securing capital funding to progress the development of these greenways. The deadline for applications is 10 March and we are working to a deadline of 3 March to complete the feasibility studies.
As well as undertaking design orientated work to outline the potential Greenway developments, Copius Consulting are also conducting consultation with a range of stakeholders and potential beneficiaries to inform the proposed developments – this includes a brief on-line survey which interested parties are asked to complete as soon as possible and definitely before the end of February. Please click on the link below to complete the survey:
www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/greenways_development
Please bring this to the attention of others within or beyond your group / organisation, particularly where they are close to any of the proposed Greenway routes so their interest, likely use and comments can be recorded.
If you wish to discuss your interest in any of the Greenway proposals, two drop in sessions have also been arranged with Copius Consulting as follows:
Monday 20 February – 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm at the Newcastle Centre and 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm, Ballymote CommunityCentre, Downpatrick.
If you require any further information and / or wish to confirm attendance at either of the drop-in sessions please contact Darren McArdle or Robert Crowe direct at Copius Consulting on 028 9075 3011 or via their email addresses above.
