Greenways a priority, MLA

Old railway routes that run Ballymena to the Glens and from Ballymoney to Ballycastle could be considered for traffic-free '˜greenways' for cyclists and/or pedestrians, a Sinn Fein MLA has said.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Jan 2016, 14:17 BST
SF MLA Daithí McKay with Sustrans representatives and Chris Little MLA at the launch of the Sustrans manifesto.SF MLA Daithí McKay with Sustrans representatives and Chris Little MLA at the launch of the Sustrans manifesto.
SF MLA Daithí McKay with Sustrans representatives and Chris Little MLA at the launch of the Sustrans manifesto.

Speaking after attending the launch of the Sustrans manifesto ahead of the upcoming election, Daithí McKay said that ‘greenways’ have the potential to strengthen further ‘activity tourism’ in Ballymena and the wider North Antrim area.

Mr McKay said: “I am glad to see that Sustrans have made the development of greenways in rural areas a priority ask of the new Assembly. I have campaigned for the development of greenways for a number of years and believe that they have huge potential in attracting activity tourist markets as well as being a health and wellbeing resource for the communities in which they are developed.

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“This is something that Sinn Féin will continue to pursue with the local councils, the new Department for Infrastructure and other agencies. If the willpower is there, there is no good reason why these projects cannot be developed. They have been a huge economic success in places like Mayo.

“The new Infrastructure Minister must ensure that financial provision is made for greenways. There is no point in developing cycling in places like Belfast without ensuring that rural areas like this are given similar support and financial backing,” the SF Assemblyman added.

Related topics:Ballymena