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Upgrade work to the Mourne Coastal Route has finally been completed. The project involved significant upgrade works to the following 5 amenity areas: Narrow Water Amenity Area, Ross Monument Amenity Area, Donaghaguy Amenity Area, Whitewater Amenity Area and Millbay Amenity Area
A total of £283k was spent across the 5 amenity sites as part of the overall project, which will boost the tourism facilities of Newry & Mourne and the Carlingford Lough area generally.
The varied nature of the works included pathway upgrades, erection of new boundary fencing, installation of new picnic furniture in terms of benches and bins as well as the provision of new entrance features, panels and signage.
Funded jointly by the Loughs Agency and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in partnership with Newry & Mourne District Council, the project was delivered over the period 2011 – 2013. Other key partners involved in the scheme design & delivery included consultants URS and the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) along with Whitemountain and John McQuillan Contractors.
Speaking on behalf of the funders, Stephen Bill, Mournes Destination Manager from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) commented that, ‘the development of these key sites along the Mourne Coastal Route provides visitors with access to quality viewpoints and amenities in some of our most scenic countryside. Bespoke information panels at each location, reflecting the local Mourne Mountain Destination Brand, also highlight local stories and tales to engage the visitor and enhance their experience in the area”.
Also commenting on behalf of the Loughs Agency, John Pollock CEO enthused that, ‘the Loughs Agency is delighted to be exercising its marine tourism remit with the Mourne Coastal Route being developed along the northern shore of Carlingford Lough”.
Councillor John McArdle, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council stated that, ‘this project over a 2 year period was not easy to deliver, but strong working relationships had been built up between the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the Loughs Agency and Council” and he hoped that these linkages could continue for future funding programmes in the medium to longer term.
