East Belfast Community Greenway moving forward - 03-07-2008

Belfast`s Lord Mayor, Councillor Tom Hartley, joined East Belfast Partnership`s Sammy Douglas for a cycle in the east of the city, where an ambitious environmental project is edging closer to becoming a reality.

Belfast City Council has now signed a legal agreement with East Belfast Partnership to provide £4.2 million funding for the Connswater Community Greenway, as well as agreeing to manage and maintain the project.

Connswater Community Greenway is an extensive environmental improvement scheme costing £32 million. It will see the creation of a nine kilometres linear park through east Belfast, with 19 kilometres of cycle and walkways connecting the existing open and green spaces from the Castlereagh Hills to Belfast Lough.

The project aims to reconnect the communities of east Belfast and restore the Connswater, Knock and Loop Rivers as living community assets.

The East Belfast Partnership secured £23.5 million in November 2007 from the Big Lottery Fund`s Living Landmarks Programme - one of three successful projects in the United Kingdom and the only project in Northern Ireland to be awarded funding.

As well as Belfast City Council`s £4.2 million, the Department for Social Development (DSD) is contributing £3.2 million. The council will also play a key role in managing and maintaining the project.

Councillor Hartley welcomed Belfast City Council`s contribution towards the Greenway project.

"The East Belfast Partnership must be applauded for their success in developing this iconic project which will improve the quality of life of people in east Belfast for present and future generations," he said.

"Connswater Community Greenway will make a real difference to the lives of people in east Belfast.

"It will provide immediate benefit to the 40,000 people living in the wards adjacent to the Connswater River, the pupils and students attending the 26 schools and colleges near the river, those who chose to work and invest in East Belfast and visitors and tourists to the area."

Sammy Douglas from the East Belfast Partnership added:

"We are looking forward to working in partnership with Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development in the delivery of the Connswater Community Greenway project.

"This significant investment will regenerate and revitalise the area and improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of people."

A design team is to be appointed in 2009 to start work on the project with construction expected to take place from 2010 to 2013.

Further information on Connswater Community Greenway is available on its website www.communitygreenway.co.uk

East Belfast Partnership is a broad-based social partnership with community, statutory, political and business members who are dedicated to the regeneration of east Belfast. The partnership is supported by central and local government.

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