Members of the public are being asked to choose their preferred route for the 'Sydenham to Holywood greenway'.
The Department for Infrastructure has launched a consultation on proposed walking and cycling routes from Sydenham to Holywood with the minister saying she is keen to see the project progressed.
Three routes have been proposed for the scheme;
- Option 1 – A path along the railway from Sydenham through Holywood Exchange
- Option 2 – A path along Holywood Road through Holywood Exchange
- Option 3 – Upgrading the cycling route alongside the Sydenham Bypass
Launching the consultation, Minister Nicola Mallon said: “In June 2021 I published ‘Making Belfast an Active City – Belfast Cycling Network 2021’, setting out my ambition to make Belfast a more cycle-friendly city and provide a blueprint for the development and operation of the cycling infrastructure in the city for the next ten years. It proposed a number of active travel routes between Belfast and North Down.
“I recognise that a route for walking, wheeling and cycling from Sydenham to Holywood is of importance to many people and I am keen to progress this. I am seeking views on which of the proposed routes the public would like to see delivered in the short term and which will encourage more walking and cycling.
“As well as the routes from the Belfast Cycling Network, I would also like to hear views on a potential upgrade to the existing cycling track on the Sydenham Bypass.
“I am committed to improving our walking and cycling infrastructure which allows us to better connect communities, improve our health and wellbeing and also tackle the climate crisis.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest or view on this subject to respond to the consultation.
“I intend to publish the implementation plan for the Belfast Cycling Network next month.”
East Belfast DUP councillor George Dorrian brought a motion to Belfast City Council in 2018 regarding the Sydenham Greenway plans and said he is delighted to see they are progressing.
He said: "I’m delighted to see a consultation to develop the Sydenham Greenway has been brought forward by the Department.
"In 2018 I brought a motion to Belfast City Council which asked for the Greenway network to be extended, to take in Sydenham and through to Holywood. Since then I have worked with Gavin Robinson MP to explore how this can be best taken forward, and include the local communities in it’s design. There are great existing local open spaces which will compliment a Greenway if it is designed correctly, and we will ask for these to be considered in our own consultation response.
"This will open up a new route for both workers and leisure users and is a reflection of the growing popularity of active travel throughout our city. We are ambitious for what can be achieved here and we hope the Department shares that ambition.
"I would encourage everyone to respond to the consultation over the next few weeks and I look forward to seeing it progressed in the months ahead."
Further details on the consultation including maps of the proposed routes are available at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-sydenham-holywood-walking-wheeling-and-cycling-routes
Responses to the consultation may also be provided via email to: activetravel@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
The consultation will close on April 1, 2022.
