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Newry.ie has made a Submission to the Department for Infrastructure concerning the proposed Newry Inner City Greenway early engagement consultation. The consultation closes tomorrow 5 November so if you want to send your contribution you need to be quick. It can be emailed to activetravel@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
The Newry City Inner Greenway
As one of the Department for Infrastructure's Signature schemes it is important not only that the Newry City Inner Greenway is completed, but that there is enough finance available to ensure it is completed exceptionally well and works for cyclists and walkers and for local businesses. Every extra bicycle on the Greenway is potentially one less car polluting and clogging up our City. There is no reason why this route shouldn't be 'World Class' and a location for signature sculptures and tourism infrastructure.
There is only one route option that ticks all the boxes and that is the suggested route that travels between the Clanrye River and Newry Canal all the way from the first lock on the canal below WIN Business Park to the entrance to the Carlingford Lough Greenway at Dublin Bridge. The route should travel alongside the Canal and not the river as when the tide is out on the river it is a far from pleasant view.
A way MUST be found to take the route through the Translink Bus station - A deviation from the route should be a compromise the DfI should not be prepared to make, in the name of making the greenway a truly transformative, beautiful and inspirational section of infrastructure in our city for future generations.
What works well today: Very little - Apart from the two current greenways, cycling infrastructure in Newry city is virtually non existent. Both greenways are brilliant but there is no natural linkage. It's not connected and most of it is quite dangerous. The route from the Mourne Country Roundabout to the turn off for Newry Railway station is good but not a very busy route.
What could be improved: From Sugar Island to Fiveways a narrow painted track at the side of the road is the only option - It doesn't keep you away from traffic and is unsuitable for children. There should be a path separated from the road. The path from Greenbank on the Warrenpoint Road into William Street isn't continuous. There needs to be a bridge link across the Clanrye into the new Newry City Park where currently the supports are from a previous bridge but this should not be the route of the signature greenway, rather a useful link from the Warrenpoint Road.
Important parking and access requirements: The route between Canal and River will greatly improve access to this part of the city. It will not have any negative access connotations and while there may be several car park spaces removed it would be negligible. Remember every bike on the route is potentially one car less needing a parking space in our congested city centre.
Traffic and safety concerns: The direct route staying between the Canal and River is the safest option with the least disturbance to other traffic. Pedestrian/ Cycle crossings on New Street, Sugar Island, Needham Bridge, Mill Street and Dublin Bridge are currently mostly in place and would just need some re-allignment.
Opportunities for Walking, wheeling and cycling: Connecting both greenways will make it much more likely that locals and visitors will use both facilities and not just one.
The route running all the way alongside the east bank of Newry Canal between the Canal and Clanrye River is the ideal route for the following reasons:
1: It's the most direct option and a natural route from the Newry Canal Towpath to the Carlingford Lough Greenway.
2: Apart from road crossings it's traffic free making it much safer and more pleasant for walking, wheeling and cycling. It will become a social hub for conversation as well as convenience.
3: Connectivity - This route is the best route to ensure that all parts of Newry city centre are easily accessible from multiple points along the route. Newry will become a destination rather than a city where people turn around and go back the way they came.
4: Not only will the greenway on this route improve the cycling infrastructure but by necessity when the work is being carried out it will also enhance the east canal side environment which currently is seriously neglected and contrasts strongly with the beautiful west canal side walkway and fence. Work carried out on this side should be sympathetic with the path on the other side.
5: It has already been decided that it is important for this area to be redeveloped and what better way that for this signature project to be a total game-changer for the city. At least two Newry City Centre Masterplans have highlighted the need for a 'green lung' through this exact area. This project will transform Newry.
6: All the other options make it necessary for some form of a detour from the direct route, with the route travelling alongside busy roads making noise and pollution factors that would make the routes totally unpleasant and unsuitable.
7: Virtually all of this route is already owned by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the DfI, simplifying construction and costs. For much of the route it would just be about re-aligning a few car parking spaces.
8: The Environment - Part of Translink's remit is to promote Active Transport so there should be no resistance and in fact it should pro-actively contribute to finding a way to get the route safely through the Bus Station site.
9: Inclusivity - This route is by far the safest and most intuitive for Children and less abled people, avoiding busy roads and noise.
10: Health and wellbeing - Once the Greenway is in place this route can be developed over time giving members of the public and visitors a tree lined route close to nature which is easily joined. The completion of this on the east bank of the canal would mean that walkers could have a circular route from the Town Hall back to the Town Hall benefiting other walkways and not just the new one.
10: For a signature project it needs to be the very best option for cyclists and walkers and not a compromise. There should be no compromise in the selecting of the route and this route is the ideal option in every way.
In summary there is only one route which should be advanced. Anything else is a half-job and Newry City deserves nothing but the best.
