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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are to review the new gravel surface they recently laid on the Newry stretch of the Carlingford Lough Greenway between the Albert Basin and Victoria Lock.
While works carried out to widen the greenway back to its original width were very beneficial, course gravel laid on the path following Storm Éowyn makes cycling on it more difficult especially for bicycles with narrow tyres. Several readers commented on Newry.ie expressing their concerns for wheelchair users of the facility.
In a reply to a media query from Newry.ie where we shared some reader comments and asked was the current surface the final surface, a Council spokesperson said: "Newry, Mourne and Down District Council acknowledges the concerns raised and will be reviewing the recently laid surface, including the stretch from Albert Basin to Victoria Lock, particularly in relation to its usability for Greenway users."
The spokesperson added "Gravel was chosen for its superior drainage properties and its ability to integrate more naturally with the surrounding landscape." They continued "While there are no plans to tar the path, the Council is considering options to improve the surface where needed, including the potential use of finer gravel."
In conclusion the statement said "The Council greatly values feedback and is committed to ensuring the Greenway is as accessible and enjoyable for its users as possible."
Our readers shared their thoughts on the new surface with one comment saying "I've cycled this since it reopened and as much as I'm glad it has opened and the contractors have done a good job it still falls short, council needs to realise gravel from newry to the border isn't good enough, from border to Carlingford is an amazingly joy to cycle, council needs to do more"
Another said "I was hoping for tarmac - for wheelchair users" while another suggested Councillors should try it out for themselves. "this new surface is certainly not an improvement and more needs to be done to make it more usable for walkers, cyclists with road bikes, wheelchair users and young riders just learning to ride. A layer of quarry dust would be a good start, if not a smooth asphalt top . Councillors should get on their bikes and take a day trip along from Newry through Omeath to Carlingford to see how to do a Greenway properly and make it accessible to all and ask themselves why are there more path users here than the Victoria Lock to Albert Basin section."
Commenting on the stretch undermining progress south of the border another added "I cycled this refurbished path yesterday.The widening and refurbishment are very welcome, however, its much more difficult to use since the works were completed and very uncomfortable and not at all user friendly. Please look at the smooth finish to the surface of the Greenway from the border to Omeath and replicate it on the Victoria basin to Newry section. This really needs to be improved now as it currently hinders use and undermines great work undertaken and significant investment underway joining the greenway at the border."
A reader added "The south gets Tarmac the North gets stones, just shows how much the Republic has advanced in the last 50 years compared to the UK"
