North West Greenway Network

Big news! Planning approval secured for Strabane. Construction to commence Q1, 2020. Read more Route 3, Lifford to Strabane.

Go to Consultation process event route 1 for details on the emerging route for Buncrana to Derry and recent contact with An Bord Pleanála

North West Greenway_Project Update_Spring 2019.

In 2015 Derry City & Strabane District Council (DCSDC) in partnership with Donegal County Council (DCC), Transport NI (TNI) and SustransNI, formally established the Active & Sustainable Travel Forum (ASTF).

The Forum’s North West Greenways Action Plan

The Forum’s plan forms the basis of a strategic and co-ordinated strategy for the development of a network of greenways throughout the North West. To date approximately 80km of traffic-free routes have been delivered, including 30km classed as greenway. The partnership’s strategic vision is set within the context of the North West Greenway Action Plan:

“To develop a cross border network of greenways that link people with places locally, regionally and nationally- bringing social, economic & environmental wellbeing to all.”

About the North West Greenway Network project

In December 2016 Derry and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, the Department for Infrastructure (NI) and Sustrans (the UK-based cycling and walking charity), were awarded €14.8 million funding from the EU’s INTERREG VA programme, administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), to construct 46.5kms of cross-border greenway. Match-funding has been provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in Ireland.

These routes link Derry to Buncrana via Bridgend; Muff to Derry via Culmore; and Lifford to Strabane. Once completed, this will result in a greenway network of approximately 126.5km in the North West, of which 76.5km will be classified as high quality greenway.

Our Vision and Objectives

To develop a cross border network of greenways that link people with places locally,

regionally and nationally – bringing social, economic and environmental well-being to all

To construct 46.5kms of greenway and cycling/walking routes
Encourage a minimum of 500 people to cycle or walk to school, work or college by 2022
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions entering our atmosphere by over 300 carbon tonnes per annum by 2023
Encourage more people to walk and cycle as part of their daily routine
Invest in the wider economic and social infrastructure in the North West Region

This project has been supported by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

National and International policy context

This is a non-exhaustive list of European, National and local policy documents which place cycling and walking within the context of policy development, encouraging people to be more active for a multitude of reasons: to assit with carbon emission reduction; reduce congestion; improve the general health of the population; and increase business and employment opportunities in the 'green' economy.

Europe 2020 – A Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth: puts forward three mutually reinforcing priorities for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Sustainable transport strategy is set out under the “sustainable growth” priority, through flagship Initiative: “Resource efficient Europe”, which supports a shift towards a resource efficient and low carbon economy.

TEN-T - Connecting Europe Policy (2014): highlights the potential for long distance walking and cycling routes.

NI Regional Development Strategy 2035: Building a Better Future 2010- Regional Guidance Policy 9: 'reduce our carbon footprint and facilitate mitigation and adaptation to climate change whilst improving air quality- ‘This will include reducing the need to use the car,’ and Regional Guidance Policy 11 through enhancing the amenity value of natural and cultural heritage assets by providing linkages to green infrastructure.

Inclusive Strategic Growth Plan 2017-2032 (Our Community Plan) - Derry City & Strabane District Council:

Community Planning is a statutory duty placed on Councils as part of local government reform. Sustainable travel initiatives support multiple outcomes including ‘Social Wellbeing’, ‘Encourage physical activity’, ‘Live and work sustainably, protecting the environment’

Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework and National Development Plan 2018-2027: National Policy Objective #46 includes the enhancement of “transport connectivity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, to include cross-border road and rail, cycling and walking routes, as well as blueways, Greenways and peatways.”

Donegal County Council Development Plan 2018 – 2024:

T-P-11: It is a policy of the Council to facilitate the appropriate development of affordable, multi-modal transport solutions that offer communities and future generations real transport choices such as park and ride; pedestrian and cycling; bus and taxi services; and ancillary infrastructure
T-P-24: It is a policy of the Council to protect established/historic railway corridors throughout the County primarily for strategic infrastructure provision (such as rail/road projects) and secondly for recreational development. Along these corridors other uses shall not be considered. Where these corridors have already been compromised by development, adjacent lands which could provide opportunities to bypass such an impediment and reconnect these routes for amenity purposes (walking/cycling) shall be protected for this purpose. However, in all instances, the over-riding objective shall be the provision of strategic infrastructure.

Last updated: 12 March 2020