Proposed Greenway: Comber to Newtownards

In partnership with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), we are proposing to extend the existing Comber Greenway from Belfast Road, Comber to the end of the canal parallel to Portaferry Road Newtownards.

Project Value: The development of this route represents an investment of c£4.36M in green infrastructure in the Borough. 

Current Status

In July 2021, Council approved the detailed 'Outline Business Case' (OBC) for the route and it has been submitted to the Department for Infrastructure to help support its planning for capital funding for greenways across Northern Ireland.  The OBC will remain in draft until approved by the Department. 

The major planning application for this scheme was submitted to the Planning Service in March 2019 and it was approved in January 2025.  To view the application click on this link: Comber to Newtownards Greenway Planning Application

Key Benefits

• Increased leisure use offering connections to Comber Leisure Centre, Enler Park, Londonderry Park and the Strangford Lough Cycle Trail. 
• Increased commuter use by those travelling for work or to one of the number of schools on the route. 
• Promotion of active travel between Comber and Newtownards for walkers and cyclists. 
• Extension of the already well used Comber Greenway and, in particular, improvement of the access route into Comber town centre.   
• Potential to contribute to domestic tourism as the route runs partly along the shoreline of Strangford Lough and can link to Island Hill.
• Additional car parking with one Park and Ride facility to be built by DfI in Comber and one to be built by Council near the Waste Water Treatment Plant on the A21.   

For other general benefits of greenways visit Benefits of Greenways