Greenways Network
In November 2016, the Council commissioned studies for three potential Greenway routes as Stage two of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Greenways programme. These studies were submitted to the DfI seeking funding for the design phase of these projects. In August 2017, DfI provided a Letter of Offer for £25k towards the design of the Comber to Newtownards Greenway which is Stage 3 of the DfI programme. This was one of three successful applications out of a regional total of sixteen. Stage 3 also includes the implementation of the consultation phase of the projects.
As part of its ongoing commitment to investment in the health and wellbeing of the community, and although the other routes are not grant-aided at this point, the Council considered progressing with the design of its other two schemes in addition to that partly funded by DfI.
The Council has engaged AECOM and Sustrans to commence the design of proposed Greenways between Comber & Newtownards, Donaghadee to Kinnegar via the coastal path, and Newtownards to Helen’s Bay. The appointment of Aecom and Sustrans for a design phase took place on 8 October 2017. This work includes engagement with landowners and key stakeholders and will be subject to public consultation, the first of which was on 13 March 2018 at Comber Leisure Centre in relation to Comber to Newtownards Greenway Network.
Information about the proposed Greenways can be found at the links below:
Proposed Greenway - Comber to Newtownards
Proposed Greenway - Newtownards to Green Road
Proposed Greenway - Kinnegar to Donaghadee