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Funding of over £1m has been announced by the Department for Infrastructure to carry out feasibility studies and design work for three greenways in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.
The Newry related greenway funding is proposed to pay for the feasibility study of the 'Newry to Poyntzpass' greenway. We can only assume this relates to the Newry Canal Towpath, but there are no details given and the fact that the route is already a greenway in everything but name makes one wonder what DfI plan to spend their money on exactly. The two other greenways mentioned for funding are the Downpatrick to Ardglass Greenway and the Ballynahinch 'Spur'.
*** In **2021 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council carried out the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Active Travel Masterplan and while the Downpatrick to Ardglass and Ballynahinch Spur projects are mentioned as future greenways the Newry to Portadown route is mentioned as a current greenway. In the report the most detailed one mentioned is the 'Newry Waterfront Park Greenway' *
The Department for Infrastructure said they wrote to councils earlier this year inviting them to submit proposals for greenway projects to be considered for 50% capital funding support. The funding, totalling £1.05m, will be used to help these councils deliver on their priorities for active travel and builds on the Minister's commitment to support councils to realise their ambitions and to develop their longer term plans for greenways.
The funding will be provided across the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years and represents 50% capital funding of the total costs, with the other 50% to be met by councils and other sources. All proposals will be subject to public expenditure processes before final funding is agreed.
Minister Kimmins said creating cleaner and greener connections is one of her department's seven Foundations for a Better Future. "I want to focus on delivering positive change for people, the economy and the environment which will build the foundations for a better future. By working together, we can create cleaner and greener connections that are aligned with regional needs and priorities," she said.
The Minister added that creating spaces that encourage more people to consider walking, wheeling and cycling for their shorter everyday journeys is not just good for the environment but is also beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing. "I am delighted to now issue letters of offer to deliver seven projects within the council areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Belfast City Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council," she said.
* For reference
The Council's Active Travel Masterplan *** 2021 details the Newry Waterfront Park Greenway "A new linear city park at the heart of Newry City was proposed in the Newry City Centre Masterplan (2011). This would provide much needed public and green space, in a city that lacks a large park. This project would also provide a largely traffic free walking and cycling link between Portadown Greenway and the Albert Basin, where the Carlingford Lough Greenway begins, creating a ‘super greenway’, which could in the future link Belfast to Dundalk
This new park would be located between the Clanyre River and the Newry Canal and would require the removal of several car parks, potential relocation of the bus station, and the delivery of regeneration projects at Sugar Island and Albert Basin.
Feasibility work has already been carried out on certain sections of this project, both by local group Newry 2020, and NMDDC."
Newry.ie have asked Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for more information about the Newry to Poyntzpass proposal.
Corrections 15/1/26
** Date was 2021 not 2020
*** This paragraph was incorrect and now out of date. The "Newry to Portadown" greenway IS mentioned as an "Existing Greenway"! Amended in article. (Original line - and while the Downpatrick to Ardglass and Ballynahinch Spur projects are mentioned, interestingly there is no mention of Newry to Poyntzpass. There are just four greenways in Newry City mentioned in that report, the most detailed one being the 'Newry Waterfront Park Greenway' * but it seems this isn't one of the projects being taken forward by DfI)
DfI announced 13/1/26 that work is being progressed on the "Newry Inner City Greenway" which most likely will take a similar route to the aforementioned Waterfront Park Greenway so it seems they ARE taking this route forward.
