Final push for Strathfoyle Greenway

Paul Hughes, Youth & Community Development Worker with Enagh Youth Forum (EYF) was speaking as he welcomed Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s pledge of £1.28m towards the project - half of the total needed.

He said: “EYF would like to thank DFI for this hugely important funding commitment from everyone in the local community who have been campaigning for this for much needed project for eight years now. Also a special thank you to the Greenway Development Team at Derry City & Strabane District Council.

“The onus is now on the Departments for Communities and Agriculture, Environment and Rural affairs to work with Council to help fund the remaining 50% required to bring this much needed project to a reality as soon as possible.”

Mayor Brain Tierney said the funding leaves it in “a much stronger position to leverage the rest of the funding”.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the long-awaited greenway “will be completely transformational for Derry and its surrounding areas”.

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson said it was “a great relief that this vital funding has finally been committed”.