Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
£5M CITY GREENWAY GETS THE GO-AHEAD
DETAILS of a new £5.1million Eu-funded greenway to connect parks and open spaces in North and West Belfast have been unveiled.
Forth Meadow Community Greenway will create shared paths and cycleways along a 12km route starting at Clarendon Playing Fields and ending at the new Transport Hub in the city centre.
Wayfinding and information signage, street furniture and public art will also be installed along the route, while key sites will be enhanced with landscaping and planting.
The project will be delivered by Belfast City Council thanks to funding from the EU’S PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
Match-funding will be provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.
The redevelopment of Spring field Dam Park received additional funding from the Department for Communities.
Lord Mayor Alderman Frank Mccoubrey said: “Forth Meadow Community Greenway is a really exciting project that will help regenerate local neighbourhoods along its 12km route.
“Alongside the capital project which will be completed in 2022, an imaginative community activity and events programme will be delivered at sections along the new greenway with the aim of bringing communities together and promoting the use of the shared space.
“By encouraging residents to make more use of facilities in neighbouring areas, the new greenway and activity programme will also encourage interaction between communities that have been divided for too long. This supports the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan which includes aims to regenerate neighbourhoods, improve community relations and create a welcoming, safe, fair and inclusive city for all.”
First Minister Arlene Foster praised local residents for their involvement in the plans for Firth Meadow Community Greenway.
She said: “This is an important project which will open up new spaces and new opportunities for local communities to connect and engage.
“I am proud the Executive is supporting the people of
North and West Belfast through the creation of the Forth Meadow Community Greenway.
“And I am delighted to know that the local community have been involved in developing the new £5.1million parks and cycleway, which will cover a 12km route. Their contribution has helped to make this an amazing resource.
“This is not just about sharing places but it is also about sharing experiences and joining together in events and activities.”
The Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill added: “In building a better and shared future, we need to find n ew ways to improve connectivity, facilitate mobility and open up our communities for the benefit of everyone.
“The Forth Meadow Community Greenway i s an important project which will help to do ju st th at by creating links and shared spaces across the city.”