Mayor begins work on new walking and cycling infrastructure in Castlederg

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, has turned the sod on a new shared use walking and cycling pathways project in Castlederg.

The work on the exciting sustainable travel infrastructure initiative will be carried out by AMS LTD.

The project includes the widening of existing pathways in Castle Park to accommodate cyclists and a connecting link to St Eugene's lands to create over 1km of new shared-use walking and cycling paths.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Tierney said the finished project would be a key community asset to the people of Castlederg.

"I am delighted that our walking and cycling path network continues to expand across the District," he said. 

"This scheme stems from Council's Green Infrastructure Masterplan for Castlederg which was published last year.

"When completed the people of Castlederg can look forward to improved accessibility for walkers and cyclists.

"The project will further encourage active travel which can enhance people's health and wellbeing, whilst also benefiting the environment through carbon savings."

Funding of £350k has been secured from both Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020  (£232k) and Council (£120k) to deliver the project and it is anticipated that works will commence onsite later this month, with completion in the Autumn.

Mary Hunter, Chair of the Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership (LAG), who administer Rural Development Funding for the region, added:

"We are delighted that the investment put forward by the LAG for the project is now coming to fruition. 

"This is a much needed investment in transport infrastructure in the rural area which has long since been a problem for the most isolated parts of our City and District. 

"I commend all involved for overseeing the project to this critical stage and I look forward to the opening of the facility to the public later this year."

For more information about Derry City and Strabane District Council's Parks and Greenways network visit derrystrabane.com/greenways.