Greenway 'transformative' for Strathfoyle and Maydown

The Strathfoyle Greenway project on the outskirts of the city has received £104,944 from the British Government’s Levelling Up fund.

The funding is part of a total package of £1.3 million allocated to help councils across the North enhance green spaces in their communities. It will fund 26 projects which will see the planting of trees, the expansion of paths and trails and the improvement of play parks.

Strathfoyle Greenway project is a 2.7km long greenway, which will link up the area with the rest of the city’s greenway network. When completed, it will include street lighting controlled by a smart system to minimise energy consumption and impacts on wildlife.

Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan welcomed the Strathfoyle Greenway project funding, describing it as “brilliant”.

Speaking to Derry Now he said: “Having worked very hard, over many years, with statutory and community partners on this transformative project, I am delighted at this latest positive announcement.

“The greenway itself is almost complete.

“Many people will have seen photos of its progress over the past few months and others, like me, have been able to see this progress up close.

“This financial boost will complement the government funding that we secured for the project and ensure that the finished article will be first class.

“There is massive positivity around the Strathfoyle area at the imminent completion of this vital piece of green infrastructure that will improve connectivity between this outlying village and the city centre. It will bring huge benefits in terms of health and well-being, the environment and even financially for people who are able to leave the car at home and safely walk or cycle into town and all the amenities here,” said Mr Durkan.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy said she was “delighted” Strathfoyle Greenway had received this “significant funding”.

Mayor Duffy added: “It will facilitate a number of enhancements to the route including signage and seating.

“The project will provide a beautiful car-free pathway for walkers and cyclists to enjoy and will link up Strathfoyle to the city centre, expanding the active travel options for residents in the area.

“Our greenway network has made significant progress in recent years and residents are already benefiting from the enhanced connectivity and health and wellbeing benefits it brings,” said Mayor Duffy.

Also welcoming the Greenway funding, Paul Hughes, a community activist with Enagh Youth Forum commended Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Greenway Officer, Mike Savage and his team for “all their hard work” in securing the Levelling Up funding.

Mr Hughes added: “Hopefully this funding contribution can help realise the Stradowen Drive linkage onto the new Strathfoyle Greenway.

“When completed this greenway will connect communities, promote active travel and improve health outcomes.

“It will be transformative not just for Strathfoyle and Maydown but the wider city and district.”

The Strathfoyle Greenway is an extension to the Waterside Greenway and will link Strathfoyle to Derry city centre and the wider greenway network.

It will also provide a commuting route to Foyle Port and Maydown.

According to Derry City and Strabane District Council, the additional funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) will enable Council to carry over an equivalent amount of funding into future financial years.

This will facilitate further capital works in and around Strathfoyle Greenway, to be agreed by the Project Board and the Community Steering Group.

A Council spokesperson added: “Derry City and Strabane District Council, alongside community steering groups, has been working on the Strathfoyle Greenway project since around 2012. The project is expected to be completed later this year.

“The £2.64m greenway is being developed by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with the Departments of Community, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Environment, and Rural Affairs.

For more on Derry and Strabane’s greenway network is available HERE.