‘Greenways’ could prevent future extensions, says Downpatrick

Concerns have been raised by the Downpatrick & County Down Railway over Government plans to create ‘greenway’ cyclepaths along sections of trackbed upon which the railway hopes to extend. Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure is studying the feasibility of developing 600 miles of ‘greenways’ on a number of disused lines in Northern Ireland. Among the sections highlighted are the former Belfast & County Down trackbeds from Downpatrick to Newcastle, Ardglass and Comber, all of which abut the DCDR at Downpatrick. For years, the DCDR has been campaigning for access to a further two‑mile section of the Downpatrick‑Newcastle line, which would mean its trains could operate through to a restored mill at Balydugan. But the land is now in private ownership, and so far, the local council has been unwilling to impose a vesting order. A spokesman for the DCDR said: “While we are certainly not against greenways in principle, given the railway’s significant contribution to tourism, we feel that careful consideration needs to be given by the council and the consultants to including our view on the future use of railway trackbeds. “We want to avoid unnecessary and divisive competition for use of the former routes, as has regrettably been seen in Britain where heritage railways and cycleways have met.” The DCDR is appealing to its members and supporters to lobby for its concerns to be taken into account in the feasibility study. It said: “While a shared approach is possible, there will be sections where cuttings and bridges are too narrow for any safe shared use. “It needs to be established at an early stage that the railway would have primacy in these areas. If any of the alignment is lost, we can forget any ideas of worthwhile and meaningful expansion.” Several years ago, the opening of the Giant’s Causeway & Bushmills narrow gauge railway was delayed because the planners insisted that a ‘greenway’ be created parallel to the line ‑ while one factor in the closure of the Foyle Valley Railway was the implementation of a ‘greenway’ that ran alongside the track. The ‘greenway’ proposal was put forward by Chris Hazard, the Infrastructure Minister in the last Northern Ireland Assembly. He said the creation of paths for cyclists and walkers would breathe new life into a “redundant infrastructure.” He said: “More people are choosing to be active with their travel options and encouraging everyone to lead a more active and healthy life by providing local opportunities is something we are determined to deliver.”