£18k bike-friendly proposal for Antrim and Newtownabbey

These will be established at a cost of £18,000 to improve “green infrastructure” across the borough if the proposal is approved by the borough council’s Operations Committee on Monday evening.

The project is part of a proposal being forwarded to the Department for Communities as part of a £363,000 funding bid.

The local authority is also seeking funding to improve the cycle route within Glas na Braden Glen in Newtownabbey and for bike hire.

The installation of bicycle stands has been earmarked for key locations across the borough’s towns and villages.

These will include the main shopping area at Rathcoole, Whiteabbey village, Merville Garden Village; Monkstown village, three locations in Glengormley, in Ballyclare, Doagh, Crumlin, Toomebridge and Randalstown.

Walking routes and parks such as Antrim Castle Gardens and Antrim Lough Shore, V36, Newtownabbey and Wallace Park, Templepatrick and at trains stations in Whiteabbey, Mossley West and Antrim are included in the provision.

Meanwhile, two schemes highlighted through the Department’s Access and Inclusion Programme 2020/21 for projects up to £30,000 have been successful.

A cycle/pedestrian route will see the completition of a section of the Hightown to Gideon’s Green route in Newtownabbey.  A new path will be created

linking the existing path near the top entrance to the Valley Park at O’Neill Road to the top of the shale pitch.

An accessibility trail is to be developed at Jordanstown Loughshore Park.

This new path is aimed at providing a “quality accessible path and minimise erosion along the grass bank by providing a number of access points to the beach”.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

Click here to read: New bike hire proposal part of £363k ‘green’ vision for Antrim and Newtownabbey

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