Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has confirmed that funding will now be allocated for three new greenway projects in Derry.

The funding commitment was made on Tuesday and will see the delivery of the Bay Road greenway lighting project, Drumahoe Park and Greenway lighting project and the Foyle Valley Greenway lighting project.

Full Planning permission for a programme of improvements for the greenway area beside Foyle Valley Railway was approved back in September to include the installation of 50 new lighting columns and also the resurfacing of the existing public footpath for the benefit of the many runners, walkers and cyclists who regularly use the area.

The greenway follows the route of the former Derry-Portadown Great Northern Railway line out towards the border, and the six-metre high columns with LED lights, will be interspersed at 30m distances fronting both the River Foyle and the northern boundary.

New lighting will be installed along the walkway at Boom Hall and Bay Park.

placeholder image — New lighting will be installed along the walkway at Boom Hall and Bay Park.

Planning permission is also in place for the other two projects, with tenders now issued. The match funding needed for all three projects was already in place prior to the Minister’s announcement.

The Drumahoe project will see lights installed along pathways located in the low lying greenspace adjoining the River Faughan. One path to be lit connects the greenspace to the play area, pitch, changing rooms and car park at Drumahoe Road, via a steep wooded slope. The proposed works will also include site clearance, drainage, landscaping, fencing, repair of path surfacing and street furniture.

The Bay Road project includes the provision of new lighting along the existing greenway paths at Bay Road and Boomhall greenspaces.

The works will also include some associated works such as site clearance, drainage, landscaping, fencing, repair of path surfacing and street furniture.

New lighting is to be installed along the Bay Road walkway.

Minister Kimmins announced the green light for the three Derry projects on Tuesday along with four other active travel projects across the north.

The Minister said: “My Department wrote to councils earlier this year inviting them to submit proposals for greenway projects to be considered for 50% capital funding support. I am delighted to now issue letters of offer to deliver seven projects within the council areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Belfast City Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

“This funding, totalling £1.05m, will be used to help these councils deliver on their priorities for active travel and builds on my commitment to support councils to realise their ambitions and to develop their longer term plans for greenways.

The Minister concluded: “Creating cleaner and greener connections is one of my department’s seven Foundations for a Better Future and I want to focus on delivering positive change for people, the economy and the environment which will build the foundations for a better future. By working together, we can create cleaner and greener connections that are aligned with regional needs and priorities.

“Creating spaces that encourage more people to consider walking, wheeling and cycling for their shorter everyday journeys is not just good for the environment but is also beneficial for our physical and mental wellbeing.”

Last year members of council’s Governance and Strategic Planning Committee approved a capital investment programme, which included the delivery of the three new greenway lighting projects.

The other projects to benefit from the funding are the Sydenham Greenway in Belfast, a feasibilty and design project for for three greenways at Newry to Poyntzpass, the Downpatrick to Ardglass Greenway and Ballynahinch ‘Spur’.