NORTH WEST GREENWAY NETWORK Summer 2018 1
Overview This leaflet provides an overview of the North West Greenway Network, a project led by Derry City and Strabane District Council working in partnership with Donegal County Council, the Department for Infrastructure and Sustrans (the UK based walking and cycling charity), which aims to develop 46.5km of cross-border greenway in the North West region by December 2021, and which is funded to the scale of 14.8 million by INTERREG VA, administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Railway arch, County Donegal 2
The Project Area The North West Region - comprised of the Derry City & Strabane District Council (DCSDC) area, north and east Donegal- is home to a rich natural, cultural and built heritage landscape, and some of the island s highest quality, natural scenery. Situated on the Northern Ireland- Republic of Ireland jurisdictional border, the area is heavily reliant on cross-border movement of both people and goods, with about 325,000 cross-border vehicle journeys made per week in the region (Department for Infrastructure telemetric data 2016). 3
North West Greenway Action Plan In 2015, Derry City & Strabane District Council & Donegal County Council commissioned Sustrans to develop the North West Greenway Plan*. This Plan sets out a high-level strategic vision to develop upwards of 250km of cross-border greenways and cycleways. * A copy of the plan may be found at: www.nwgreenway.com 4
What is a Greenway? A greenway is a dedicated cycling and walking route and can take a variety of forms: either off road (traffic free); or on road within part of the verge or footway, segregated from vehicular traffic. Segregated greenway Shared use greenway Greenways are recognised for their multi-functionality as: sustainable travel facilities; green corridors; linear parks and the associated benefits that these functions bring in terms of recreation and leisure, tourism, sustainably connecting people to place and for the environment e.g. carbon dioxide savings. In the North West we have an existing high quality greenway network of 30km including: The Derry ~ Londonderry Urban Greenway Network. 5
The Project The North West Greenway Network* has been successful in securing 14.8 million funding from INTERREG VA administered by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), towards an 18.5m project, to design, develop and deliver 46.5km of cross-border greenway by 2022, across three routes: Route 1- Derry to Buncrana (32.5km), with a spur towards Newtowncunningham; Route 2- Derry to Muff (10.5km) and; Route 3- Strabane to Lifford (3.5km). The partnership envisages that these greenway routes will contribute to socially, economically and environmentally transforming the North West Region, aligned to the sustainable transport objectives of the Draft Programme for Government 2014-2020 and the National Planning Framework: Ireland 2040. It is envisaged that these routes will connect with, and complement, existing greenways, cycleways and walkways in the North West such as the Derry~Londonderry Urban Greenway Network, Inch Levels and EuroVelo 1. * The North West Greenway Network comprises of partners Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, Department for Infrastructure and Sustrans. 6
Route Catchment Map 7
Key Project Outputs To develop 46.5km of cross-border greenway and cycle routes by December 2021 To achieve a 5.5% rise in cross-border modal shift (about 500 users) by 2022 Expected project benefits Social Improving people s physical and mental wellbeing through provision of greenway infrastructure and encouraging people to incorporate active travel into their daily routines. Environmental By developing high quality greenway infrastructure along these routes, and encouraging at least 500 people to use developed greenways to commute to work, school or college on a daily basis, we estimate that this will prevent approximately 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year. Economic Whilst the emphasis of our project is to develop routes to facilitate modal shift, developed greenways will also be a tourism asset and key economic driver, providing a much needed boost to the local economy. This is evidenced in similar greenway projects developed in other parts of the island including: The Great Western Greenway, County Mayo and; Waterford-Dungarvan greenway. 8
Travel Behaviour Change We recognise that, in order to encourage more people to walk or cycle on a regular basis, many barriers must be overcome. For example, social: the cost of buying a bike and equipment; physical: lack of appropriate infrastructure; and mental e.g. lack of confidence. In order to assist workplaces and schools to overcome such obstacles, project partner Sustrans has appointed an Active Travel Officer to engage with schools, colleges and workplaces (trip generators) to offer advice and guidance, and to implement a range of programmes to effect travel change, including: bike training; guided walks and; the Active Travel Workplace Challenge (https://www. sustrans.org.uk/northern-ireland/workplaces). Sustainable Transport Infrastructure Widespread Programming Modal Shift Carbon Savings 9
Progress to Date Entire project staff complement in place as of January 2018 January 2018 - Dedicated Project Delivery team appointed The Integrated Consultant Team (McAdams Design Ltd) were appointed in January 2018 to develop route options, prepare detailed designs, secure planning permission and procure construction contracts to deliver the cross- border project. Project Launch Held in An Grianán Hotel, Burt on Monday 26th February 2018. Scheme Assessment Reports and Public Consultation Stage 1 scheme assessment report published for route 2: Derry - Muff on 23rd May 2018 appraising route corridor options. Public consultation days held for route 2 on 23rd and 24th May 2018 with over 300 members of the public attending (combined). Public consultation days for route 1: Derry - Buncrana planned for: Tuesday 26th June 2018, 2pm - 8pm Lough Swilly Yacht Club, Station Road, Fahan, County Donegal Wednesday 27th June 2018 2pm - 8pm, Templemore Sports Complex, Derry ~ Londonderry. Route 3: Strabane - Lifford public engagement event will take place in late Summer 2018. 10
Programme Overview Route 1: Derry - Buncrana Route 2: Derry - Muff Route 3: Lifford - Strabane Stage 1: Public Consultation, June 2018 Stage 2: Public Consultation, Autumn 2018 Stage 1: Route Corridor Options Published June 2018 Preferred Route Announcement Autumn 2018 Stage 1: Public Consultation, held end of May 2018 Stage 2: Public Consultation, Autumn 2018 Stage 1: Route Corridor Options Published May 2018 Preferred Route Announcement Autumn 2018 Public engagement late summer 2018 Preferred Route Announcement September 2018 Engage with Landowners Stage 3: Develop Preferred Route & submit planning application March 2019 Engage with Landowners Stage 3: Develop Preferred Route & submit planning application March 2019 Engage with Landowners Stage 3: Develop Preferred Route & submit planning application March 2019 Publication of Compulsory Purchase Order process (ROI) and Notice of Intention to Vest (NI) Spring / Summer 2019 Construction Phase, March 2020 - July 2021 Construction Phase, Oct 2019 - July 2021 Construction Phase, Oct 2019 - July 2021 11
Further Information Website: www.nwgreenway.com Facebook: @nwgreenway Twitter: @nwgreenway Email: nwgreenway@donegalcoco.ie This information is available upon request in a number of formats including large print, Braille, PDF, audio formats (CD, MP3, DAISY) and minority languages. For further information on alternative formats please contact: Tel: +44 28 71 253 253 Text phone: +44 28 71 376 646 e-mail: equality@derrystrabane.com NORTH WEST GREENWAY NETWORK A project supported by the European Union s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) with match-funding provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in Ireland. 12