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Following years of delays and project changes, it's now expected that the missing link of the Carlingford Lough Greenway between Victoria Lock and Omeath will be completed by mid 2024. The project is costing in the region of £2.4m and will result in a safe way to cycle or walk between Newry and Carlingford village.
Item 5 on the agenda 'Carlingford Lough Greenway Update' of the 13 November Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism meeting asks councillors to note the planning approval and scheme progress and asks Council to agree to underwrite any spend over the approved funding envelope, subject to business case and funding approval through relevant committee.
Final planning approval was granted for the last section of the project in October 2023. 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 co fund the project in partnership with existing the Interreg Programme as managed by SEUPB.
The report which will be put to the meeting explains that "Further engagement is underway to secure additional further funding through the Shared Island Fund to cover any works that may be required outside the timeframe of the Interreg funding deadline. Any overspend above the available funding envelope will need to be underwritten by council to secure the project delivery."
Council are currently onsite carrying out works on the previously approved Border and Victoria Lock sections. These works will continue up-to the 31st December 2023. In tandem with these works, Council have commenced a procurement process for the remaining sections and plan to have a contractor in place so that the outstanding works (Boardwalk) can be completed by mid-2024.
The report explains that Council will continue to work closely with Louth County Council and funders to ensure that the remaining sections of the Greenway are completed. With Louth County Council onsite for the outstanding southern sections, subject to final contractor procurement being completed, it is anticipated that the overall programme of works can be completed by mid-2024.
The overall scheme costings on the Northern Side of the Border will be jointly funded from DFI and SEUPB (Projected £2.4 million overall). Council have an existing allocation of £40,000 under its Capital Estimates.
It is expected that further updates are to be brought back to committee over the course of the next few months.
