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Opinion
Back in May 2020, Newry.ie published an article on a suggested linkage greenway route through the city between the Newry Canal Towpath at one end of the city and the Carlingford Lough Greenway at the other.
With a consultation taking place tomorrow, 8 October on a proposed Newry Inner City Greenway at Newry Leisure Centre, we think it would be useful to update our proposed route which has changed slightly due to the proposed Theatre and public realm space behind Bank Parade.
Our preferred route basically travels all the way along the east side of Newry Canal from Sands Mill to the Albert Basin or ideally all the way along the east side of the canal from the first lock past WIN Business Park, travelling across the lock gate in a similar way to the lock gate crossing at Victoria Lock.
There are three important reasons for this route being selected:
One - It is the most direct and obvious route and much of the infrastructure is half there already.
Two - The fence and banks along the east side of the canal urgently need attention to repair and enhance. It would be foolish to not take the opportunity to 'kill two birds with the one stone'.
Three - It enhances the existing Newry Canal and makes it stand out even more in the city landscape.
Apart from privately owned land between the towpath lock and New Street the most challenging part of the route would be past the Translink station but as mentioned above, the canal bank and fencing need serious attention soon to avoid further collapse.
Our suggested route in 2020 embraced several Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Masterplans which have suggested a green lung for the city between Newry Canal and the Clanrye River. We have kept away from the walkway along Merchants Quay, specifically to contribute towards creating a new route in the city which would tie in with past Masterplan aims and give free access to all parts of the city.
The Newry City Centre Masterplan in October 2011 proposed a waterfront park between the two waterways all the way from Sugar Island to the Albert Basin "A key component of this would be the relocation of car parking away from canal and riverside locations, thereby freeing up space for parkland and recreational use. Alternative parking locations would be identified as part of masterplan proposals for gateway locations". Sadly this never happened, just another document that was filed away in a drawer somewhere never to be seen again. The Council's Newry Greenway Feasibility Study in 2022 also proposed a route along the east side of the canal.
The Route
Our revised preferred route (taking into account suggestions regarding the 'Red' route in the Feasibility Study) would travel across the first lock on Newry Canal towpath, down along the east canal bank to its junction with New Street where it takes left and then immediate right into Basin Quay veering to the left down Sugarhouse Quay. DfI are working on a traffic crossing here.
From here it travels across the pedestrian crossing at Sugar Island on to the existing Merchants Quay path before immediately taking left down the east side of the canal and travelling all the way down to Needham Bridge along the existing currently closed path and behind the proposed new theatre.
On Needham Bridge it's straight across past Newry Bus Centre all the way down to Mill Street. Straight Across again through Canal Bank car park keeping alongside the canal all the way down to William Street and again straight across to the Carlingford Lough Greenway.
Benefits of the route
Most of the route is already owned by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. It's within easy reach of Hill Street and Monaghan Street, the historic centres of Newry as well as giving perfect access to Newry Bus Centre and options onwards by bus and Rail
It also passes iconic Newry buildings including Sands Mill, Riverside Church and Newry Town Hall and removes cyclists and walkers from the traffic filled Merchant's Quay putting them on a quieter route.
Tomorrow Thursday 8 October the Department for Infrastructure are holding a Newry Inner City Greenway Active Travel Signature Scheme early engagement event in Newry Leisure Centre. It will run from 1pm to 7pm.
