Mallon announces completion of lighting scheme for Banbridge Riverside Walk

Date published: 01 April 2021

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Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon welcomes the completion of a £180,000 scheme to provide lighting along the Banbridge Riverside Walk.

Pictured at Banbridge Riverside Walkway are Minister Nichola Mallon and Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Savage.

Funded by the Department for Infrastructure’s blue/green infrastructure fund, the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council project will provide lighting along the 0.84 km stretch of riverside path from Banbridge Leisure Centre to Huntly Road providing an improved route for those who want to walk, wheel or cycle after dark.

Minister Mallon said:

“In September last year I announced a £2.8 million investment package towards the development of six greenway projects that were ready to construct, including lighting along this popular riverside walkway in Banbridge.

“I am delighted that my Department was able to provide £180,000 of funding for this worthy project and that the installation of lighting has now been completed by the Council. This will provide an improved and safer route along this popular stretch of path for people choosing active travel modes of transport.  I hope it will encourage more people to walk, wheel or cycle at any time of the day and feel safe to do so, particularly during the winter months when the days are so short.

“The Riverside Walk could form part of a future greenway from Banbridge to Scarva, a potential route which was identified in my Department’s Strategic Plan for Greenways: ‘Exercise – Explore – Enjoy’.  This would provide a valuable connection from Banbridge to the existing Newry Canal towpath, for a traffic-free route to either Portadown or Newry.”

The Minister concluded:

“I am committed to doing all I can to assist in the development of greenways as part of my vision to enable greater sustainable transport options that connect communities, tackle the impact of climate change and improve lives.  I would be keen to work with the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, and indeed all Councils, to assist them in taking forward greenway projects.”

“It is fantastic news that the installation of new lighting has now been completed along the very popular Riverside Walk,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Kevin Savage.

“I know the community has been looking forward to this project coming to fruition and I know it will make a huge difference to everyone, particularly on darker mornings and evenings. Through our ‘Get Moving ABC’ Framework, we are committed to helping our residents to improve both their physical and mental wellbeing, and these new lights will definitely encourage people to use this path more often, to get out of the house, to enjoy the fresh air and to walk, run and cycle.”

Notes to editors: 

  1. Photo caption: Pictured at Banbridge Riverside Walkway are Minister Nichola Mallon and Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Kevin Savage.
  2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
  3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
  4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

 

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