Infrastructure Minister has marked the start of
construction on the new £5.6m Newtownards to Bangor Greenway.
This project is funded by the Department for Infrastructure in
conjunction with the Department for Transport (DfT) through the
Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and Ards and North Down Borough Council.
The 5.4km long greenway utilises much of the old railway track
and will run between Floodgates, Newtownards and Green Road,
Bangor. It includes up to four-metre-wide paths for walking and
cycling with accompanying railings, fencing, lighting and
planting.
Attending the commencement of construction Infrastructure
Minister said: “I am delighted
that my Department could contribute £2.8m to deliver this
greenway project between Bangor and Newtownards and it is great
to be here today to see work on the ground underway.
“Active travel is a key element in addressing climate
change and creating cleaner and greener spaces that are open to
everyone. By investing in greenways and other
high quality active travel infrastructure we are
giving people more options to think about how they travel and
helping them embrace healthier lifestyles.
“This greenway will benefit both the local community and
visitors to the area and will complement plans for further
development opportunities in Ards and North Down, including
opportunities that will arise through my Department's Active
Travel Delivery Plan, which is currently out for consultation.
Once completed this greenway will provide a safe
alternative route for those who choose to leave the car at home
and use it to travel to work or to study, to shop, to visit
family and friends or simply just for leisure.
“By making small changes such as choosing to walk, wheel
or cycle we can all make a big difference in beating congestion,
reducing our carbon footprint, and improving our physical and
mental wellbeing.
“This project is a fine example of the value of
Government bodies working together to deliver for local
communities.”
The scheme will utilise the former railway track and will be
completed in two stages. Stage one has now commenced between
Belvedere Road, Newtownards and Whitespots Country Park.
Stage 2 will be between Whitespots and Green Road, Bangor,
passing Ark Open Farm, mostly following the former railway line
in a north easterly direction towards Green Road, Bangor where it
will link with the existing shared path along Green Road.
Minister Kimmins was joined by other funders, Ards and North
Down's Mayor Councillor Alastair and representatives from UK
Government.
Mayor said: “It is fantastic to see work
progressing 'on the ground' on this new greenway. The 5.4km route
will help to better connect the town of Newtownards with the city
of Bangor by providing a new safe path for those who want to
walk, wheel or cycle. We expect it to be popular with leisure
users, including those wanting to undertake exercise or to access
Whitespots Country Park/Ark Farm, as well as those who are
commuting to work or a place of study such as the South East
Regional College campus in Ards. We are immensely grateful to our
funders for their financial and technical support and to our
contractors Charles Brand for their enthusiastic and innovative
approach to delivering this exciting green infrastructure
project.”
DfT Local Transport Minister said: “I'm pleased to see
construction begin on this greenway, which will make walking and
cycling between Newtownards and Bangor easier, safer, and more
accessible than ever before.
“We know investment in active travel helps people live happier
and healthier lives. This is why we are funding Ards and North
Down Borough Council £3.2m through the Levelling up Fund - £2.3m
of which is going to support this important project."
The project is expected to take around 12 months to
complete.
Notes to editors:
- Photo: DfI Minister joins Ards and North Down
Mayor Cllr Alastair as construction work on the Ards
North Down Greenway gets underway
- This project is part of the wider Newtownards to Bangor
greenway, Comber to Newtownards greenway Levelling Up Fund scheme
which is jointly funded by the Department for Infrastructure
(£6.4million), The Department for Transport (£3.2million) and
Ards and North Down Borough Council (£3.2m).
- The route mainly follows an old railway line passing through
the new Beverley Village housing development, continuing north.
At this location, the route heads West towards the A21 and Somme
Museum before reaching the proposed pedestrian and cycle bridge
providing linkage across the A21 into Whitespots Country Park.
The second section will then continue northwards past Ark Farm
and linking back to the route of the historic railway. It will
continue north before diverging from the old railway and
following alongside a watercourse into the playing pitch at
Breezemount. The route finishes at the Green Road Community
Centre where it will link with the shared path along Green Road.
