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It appears that completion of the Carlingford Lough Greenway stretch between Victoria Lock and the border is delayed once again with plans to have it finished by mid 2024 now looking more like the end of 2024. See Carlingford Lough Greenway section expected to be completed mid 2024
Newry.ie asked the Council for a progress report and coincidentally the Council's Enterprise Regeneration and Tourism meeting scheduled for 15 April also has it on the agenda.
Funding for the project from SEUPB couldn't be used in 2024 so Council along with Louth District Council made an application to the Shared Island Fund, and while funding was announced a few weeks back the Letter of Confirmation only came through 4 April. The Shared Island Funding totals €1.5 million and the overall scheme on the Northern Side of the Border jointly funded from SEUPB, DFI and Shared Island Fund is projected to be £2.4 in total. Council have an existing allocation of £40,000 to the project under its Capital Estimates.
The 'Carlingford Lough Greenway Update' report on the ERT Agenda explains "the Carlingford Lough Greenway in regard to the section from Victoria Lock to the Border, was successful in obtaining funding from the DfI Active Travel Branch under the Blue/Green fund to support the existing Letter Of Offer in place from the Interreg Programme as managed by SEUPB. With SEUPB funding unable to support 2024 spend activity, Council in partnership with Louth County Council made an application to the 'Shared Island Funds' to cover the outstanding costs of the project. A Letter Of Offer has now been received from the 'Shared Island Funds' to support the project."
Boardwalk sections are the only remaining pieces in the puzzle, with work at Victoria Lock, Rough Island and the border completed just over a month ago. The report adds "Council have spent the latter part of 2023 and early 2024 undertaking the Contractor procurement process for the remaining Boardwalk Sections. A preferred supplier (Contractor) has now been appointed subject to the signing of contracts and will be sitting down with Council and all project partners to map out the 2024 programme of project delivery on-site.
"As previously stated Council will continue to work closely with Louth County Council and all 3 funders, to ensure that the remaining sections of the Greenway are completed by the end of 2024."
The end of 2024 should be when the long awaited project is finally is completed, as the Irish Governments letter of Confirmation states "this grant will be available to claim in the period ending 31st December 2024"
Work on the southern side of the border is already almost complete. Newry.ie have asked Louth County Council for an update. When finished the greenway will enable cyclists and walkers to take the route all the way from Newry to Carlingford.
