Plans for a new greenway/shared cycling and walking facility are to go on view in Alley Theatre, Strabane and Donegal County Council Offices in Lifford next week.
The emerging design proposals for the planned cycling and walking route that will link Strabane in County Tyrone to Lifford in County Donegal will go on display on 24 and 25 October.
The two local authorities – Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council – are planning to construct a segregated shared looped cycle route connecting some of the key residential, commercial and civic centres in the two towns. The key linkages are as follows:
* St Patricks Church and National School, Murlog on the R264 outside Lifford towards Lifford town centre and residential areas
* Connecting along the N14 Letterkenny Road, across the existing Lifford Bridge and along the A38 Lifford Road towards Strabane Town Centre
* Running alongside the A5 Strabane Bypass and turning right on to the old Derry Road
* Connecting to the Alley Theatre via the Canal Basin before crossing Railway Street and progressing via John Wesley Street to the River Mourne floodwall
* Running alongside the River Mourne towards Branch Road and the A5 Bradley Way, connecting across the A5 at the existing traffic-controlled crossing to the Lifford Road, and along the A5 to the connect onto the Strabane Bypass at the roundabout (near ASDA)
The North West Greenway Network communications manager, Ronan Gallagher said: “Both Councils are working closely as part of the North West City Region. Working in partnership it is our joint goal to strengthen and improve existing cross border transportation links, including cycling and walking routes, while supporting the development of new links to enable spatial and economic development in both Strabane and Lifford. We are very confident that the emerging design will help to transform how people move between the two towns.”
After these events, both local authorities will proceed to lodge formal planning permissions in both jurisdictions and will engage with any affected landowners along the route to agree accommodation works.
The Councils are keen to liaise with residents while minimising disruption during construction. Subject to the approval of planning consent in both jurisdictions, it is hoped that construction work can commence by late 2019.
The spokesperson added: “One of our key objectives is to build infrastructure that will encourage people to cycle and walk to and from their destination in either town. Once completed, not only will we link Lifford to Strabane, but several schools will have access to a safe and segregated cycling and walking route.’
The Strabane to Lifford route forms part of an overall INTERREG-funded greenway project that will see three routes developed: Derry to Buncrana and Muff to Derry. On completion, the three routes will comprise 46.5 km of new cross-border greenway that will help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging commuters to leave their cars at home.
The c.€18 million project is part-funded under the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport in Ireland.
The preferred route corridors for the other two sections are scheduled to be announced before December.
Information days
Wednesday 24 October – Alley Theatre, Strabane, from 14.00 to 18.00
Thursday 25 October – Old Chamber, County Offices, Lifford, from 14.00 to 18.00
Find out more about this project at http://www.nwgreenway.com
