Under Construction: Newtownards to Green Road Bangor

Work started on the Newtownards to Bangor (Green Road) Greenway in December 2024.  Building work is progressing at pace and in accordance with the construction programme and we look forward to the completion of the Newtownards to Green Road section of the Greenway, on target, later this year.

This 5.4km long greenway will utilise much of the old railway track and run between Floodgates, Newtownards and Green Road, Bangor. It includes up to four-metre-wide paths for walking and cycling with accompanying railings, fencing, lighting and planting.   

Project Value: An investment of c£5.6M; funded by the Department for Infrastructure in conjunction with the Department for Transport (DfT) through the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and Ards and North Down Borough Council.  

Progress in March 2025 

• The completion of the Greenway path at Breezemount and commencement of works adjacent to the Ark Farm, involving the formation of new parking arrangements and drainage works. Works are programmed to complete well in advance of their busy period for visitors to the Ark Farm .
• The detailed and developed technical designs for the Greenways include for drainage works to keep the paths clear and free from waterlogging following inclement weather and the build contractor has made good progress with the installation of drainage routes and ducting in a number of areas.
• Path works have commenced in Londonderry Park, a new toucan crossing will be installed on the Portaferry Road and a significant section of the Greenway route will be progressed between the Ark Farm and Breezemount.

Progress in February 2025 

• Path works alongside the Green Road Community Centre and along the stretch of the route that terminates at the Green Road.
• Vegetation clearance in a number of locations, including sections of the Greenway route which connect SERC to the Somme and Breezemount to the Ark Farm.
• New drainage along the Bangor Road with new parking bays formed along the section of the Greenway, adjacent to the Ark Farm.

We also enjoyed a visit by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to make the start of work on this important piece of green infrastructure.  Read more about the visit: Minister Kimmins launches construction on £5.6m Newtownards to Bangor Greenway

Progress in January 2025

This has included included the installation of new kerbing and drainage at Breezemount, in preparation for laying new path surfaces.

At Floodgates Park, verges have been filled and graded and several lengths of the Greenway route have undergone vegetation clearance to maximise the available width for new and existing pathways.

The building contractor has mobilised a squad to carry out further works between the South Eastern Regional College (SERC) in Newtownards and the Bangor Road and passers by may note the contractor's base which has been set up adjacent to the Floodgates.

Background

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Strategic Plan for Greenways'  Exercise Explore Enjoy: A Strategic Plan for Greenways | Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk), published in 2016, aims to encourage a substantial increase in the number of people walking and cycling as a regular part of everyday life through the building of a connected and accessible regional Greenway Network. 

The plan provided a framework to assist local councils to develop their own greenway schemes and provided funding for feasibility studies, one of which was for a proposed Orlock Point to Donaghadee, Newtownards and Helen's Bay Greenway. 

This feasibility study was submitted to DfI and AECOM was appointed to further the design of the Greenway.  As a result of feedback during public consultation and meetings with both residents and landowners, the route was altered and split between two greenways, with this one linking Newtownards to Green Road.  From here the greenway can be linked into Bangor and extended to Donaghadee.

Key Benefits

• Health and wellbeing benefits for residents.  The southern part of the route runs between a significant number of residential properties that will enjoy easy access to the greenway.
• Increased leisure use including access to Whitespots Country Park.
• Increased commuter use by those attending South Eastern Regional College for work or study.
• Potential to contribute to domestic and out of state tourism by offering connections to the Ark Farm, Somme Museum and Whitespots Country Park.
• Green active travel connection between the towns of Bangor and Newtownards.