Under Construction: Newtownards to Green Road Bangor
Work started on the Newtownards to Bangor (Green Road) Greenway in December 2024 and is progressing swiftly.
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. It is anticipated that this section of Greenway will be completed later this year.
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.
Site Works Being Progressed this month
- Path works will be carried out alongside the Green Road Community Centre and along the stretch of the route that terminates at the Green Road.
- Vegetation clearance will continue 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 will be installed along the Bangor Road with new parking bays formed along the section of the Greenway, adjacent to the Ark Farm.
- Groundworks will continue to progress at pace, focusing on the installation of new culverts to improve and support drainage routes between SERC and the Somme and the preparation of the pathways between SERC and the Bangor Road, for resurfacing.
| Month | Work Delivered | |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | Progress in January 2025 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. |
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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.
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