Write a commentA linkage route for Cyclists between the Newry Canal Towpath and the Carlingford Lough Greenway is under discussion between the Department for Infrastructure and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
That was one of the items to emerge at last nights Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism meeting.
In August Newry City Councillors, Cllr Gary Stokes and Cllr Michael Savage and Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty met up in Newry to look at a potential route with representatives of the Department for Infrastructure and Liz Loughran their Walking and Cycling Champion, as well as a representative of Sustrans.
Cllr Stokes spoke of discussions he had with Council over the summer in relation to cycle lanes and walkways in Newry and enquired of any update.
Council Director Conor Mallon replied saying he had discussions last week with DFI and Liz Loughran, their Walking and Cycling Champion but that the work has been delayed slightly.
Mr Mallon speaking of his conversation with DFI said "They had taken on to develop some feasibility studies on a cycle link between the towpath and the greenway through Middle Bank and they were to develop some drawings and some concepts. That work has been stalled and delayed slightly due to the development of the DFI Revitalisation Grant to councils that has been announced a few weeks ago, so they are conscious that that work still is required and they will pick up on that again once the grant fund has been released and managed through the councils, they're conscious of that."
A safe linkage route between Newry Canal and the Carlingford Lough Greenway, coupled with the in-progress greenway linkage between Omeath and Victoria Lock would completely revitalise the area as well as giving Newry City a much needed safe cycle route to access the heart of the city.
Back in May Newry.ie wrote an article detailing our suggested link for the route through the city. Check it out here WWW.NEWRY.IE
