1 Comment
An attempt to set up a multi-agency Newry Canal regeneration task-force is underway following the passing of a motion from Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan, at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Sustainability and Environment Committee meeting on 18 December. Newry Canal opened in 1742 is the oldest canal in Ireland.
Council have agreed to request the support from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to write to the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for the urgent establishment of a multi-agency Newry Canal regeneration taskforce to work in partnership to deliver on the potential of inland waterways across both Council areas.
Speaking on the motion Cllr Feehan said "I've been engaging since that with a number of third party stakeholders including the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and what I was really struck by was how many actionable things there are in terms of enhancing the canal and I think what is critical to that is a joined up approach so that there is no 'silo working' on that "
A report on the motion from Council explains that at present there is no formal partnership in place between Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC) and Newry Mourne and Down District Council (NMD). Before local council's were re-organised Council were part of a Newry Canal Joint Committee but that is no longer in existence although both councils liaise and engage on technical matters relating to Newry canal and locks.
The report gave a list of projects Council have undertaken to maintain and upgrade Newry Canal and the Canal Towpath including:
• Removal of Barriers and installation of bollards to facilitate active travel along sections of Canal Towpath owned by NMDDC.
• Improved Entrance Signage at the Towpath Entrance in Newry has been completed.
• Lock No 5 repaired in 2019/20 at a cost of £150,000.
•Lock No 6. Detailed assessment has been undertaken and engagement with HED, Council is currently finalising a repair method and costing which will be considered by Council early in the New Year.
• Repairs to Lock gate 2 following recent storm.
• Victoria Lock hydraulic rams and sluice gates repaired November 2024
• Works to Camlough lake and Bessbrook pond walls completed in October 2024
• Continual daily monitoring of canal levels and balancing.
• New benches have been installed along the towpath.
• Weed cutting carried out throughout the summer period along with litter removal.
• Assistance to boats entering/leaving the canal.
Sleeve Croob Councillor Helena Young said "It's long been known that Newry Canal should be the jewel in the crown of this city and it has been left to one side for a very long time so anything that we can do to elevate that, to redevelop it, to rejuvenate it, the task force is an excellent idea."
Downpatrick Councillor Cadogan Enright believes the canal would be perfect for a canoe trail. Cllr Enright said "I know with working with Waterways Ireland their primary focus is on larger boats and barges but I know that the Irish Canoe Union did a survey of that stretch, because canoes are obviously a lot narrower. Most of that stretch of water from Lough Neagh down to Newry is actually fit for canoes and you wouldn't have to restore the entire canal in any section to make it passable for a canoe so you could actually have a very good canoe trail out of it."
The next steps are now in the hands of ABC Council and then Council will await the response from DfI and DAERA.
The Motion
"Council recognises the poor condition of Newry Canal and the significant untapped potential of our inland waterways as tourism, heritage and ecological assets, calls for a multi-agency response to lead the regeneration of Newry Canal, and will request the support of ABC Council in writing to both the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to request the urgent establishment of a Newry Canal regeneration taskforce that will work in partnership to deliver on the potential of our inland waterways"
