Write a comment
Greenway progress is moving once again with Newry, Mourne and Down Council in the past few weeks submitting new planning permission applications for a boardwalk to complete the Carlingford Lough Greenway linkage from the border to Victoria Lock.
The proposed Greenway linkage between the border and Victoria Lock may not have any twists and turns on the actual route but getting to the point of where it will actually be in place, has seen many of them. The scheme to link the existing Albert Basin to Victoria Lock greenway stretch to the existing Omeath to Carlingford section has been in progress since June 2017 and has been beset by delay after delay. The main stretch of the Carlinford Lough Greenway opened even further back in 2013 and it is still waiting to fullfil its complete potential. Over the past few years some work south of the border around Cornamucklagh has been carried out, but then land had to be vested and currently there is a tender out for work to be completed on the stretch from Omeath to the border and potentially this could be finished before the northern stretch.
On the northern side Council initially believed it would have been easier putting the route through Fathom Forest and some clearance work had been carried out there, but that all came to nought when DfI roads permission was refused to put the two crossings necessary for the route across the busy Omeath Road.
Now once more another stage of progress has happened. The original planning application via Fathom Forest was amended in February 2023 to include just two small sections at either end of the waterside route and it is believed this has now progressed through all the hoops. This week 2 applications for planning permission have now been submitted for the rest of the route which will include a 1km long 4m wide timber boardwalk on the edge of the Clanrye River/ Carlingford Lough. Parking for bicycles at Victoria Lock is also part of the project.
The application explains that it will promote the area as a walking/ cycling destination "This application forms part of a cross border initiative to complete the 19kms Greenway linking Carlingford Town with Newry City. In addition to improving connectivity between both sides of the border the Greenway is intended to encourage active travel in preference to vehicular transport and to promote the area as a walking/cycling tourist destination." In County Louth plans are being considered to extend the greenway to Dundalk and ultimately with a linkage in place through Newry City the route could form part of a Dublin to Portadown and beyond route, taking in the Greenway and Newry Canal.
The application
Carlingford Lough Greenway connecting Victoria Lock with NI/ROI Border. The proposed Greenway consists of the following: 4m wide timber boardwalk (1025m in length), 3m wide unbound gravel greenway (375m) and 3m wide bound asphalt greenway (110m). Associated infrastructure and works include: fencing, vehicle restraint system (crash barriers), edging kerbs for bound greenway, directional/trail head signage; piling installation for boardwalk and drainage works. Greenway ties in with related planning application LA07/2020/1082/F
Funding
We asked the council a few questions about funding of the project, principally when current funding from EU Programmes body SEUPB needs spent by but they didn't reply, instead giving the below response:
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is working with lead partner Louth County Council to deliver the remaining stretch of the Carlingford Greenway.
"Officials continue to work with our funders to complete the delivery of the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council section of the project within the timescale of both funds. A decision to approve the planning application LA07/2020/1082/F has been obtained and a further application to complete the project is currently progressing through the planning application process.
Further updates will be provided through the relevant council committee.”
