(L-R: Raymond McCullough, Department for Infrastructure; Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Leisure and Community Development Committee and Andrew Grieve, Department for Infrastructure).

A new pedestrian and cycle bridge is now under construction in the Dundonald area, which will open up access for residents and visitors between The Comber Greenway and Dundonald Leisure Park.

The £400k project is being jointly funded by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and The Department for Infrastructure (DfI). Fox Building and Engineering Ltd, who are the appointed contractor, are hopeful of completing the project by the end of May 2019.

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, recently visited the site with DfI partners. 

In welcoming the new facility, Alderman Porter said: “Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is committed to ensuring maximum use of green, open spaces within its area for tourism and recreation purposes.  This extension to The Comber Greenway infrastructure is an opportunity for residents to exercise through walking, running and cycling along a safe, traffic-free route. The 60m bridge which will be lit at night, will also open up access to leisure and hospitality venues, helping to contribute to the local economy.”

Andrew Grieve, Head of the DfI Walking and Cycling Unit said: “This is another project which will contribute to the Programme for Government objective of increasing the number of journeys made by walking and cycling.  This bridge provides an important link between the communities that live close to the Comber Greenway, the Dundonald Leisure Park and other local amenities.  It is a good example of a collaborative approach to active travel development between statutory authorities.”

This construction project follows improvements that were made to widen the greenway to four metres along key parts of the route last summer. The newly improved Comber Greenway encourages residents and visitors to opt for sustainable and active travel along the 7 mile route between Belfast and Comber.