FERMANAGH is one step closer to giving cyclists and pedestrians a safer option by making taffic free ‘greenways’ a reality in the county.
Fermanagh has been given funding to conduct feasibility studies of the proposed greenway from Enniskillen to Clones. The development of a Greenway from Clones to Enniskillen would provide a pathway linking the two towns which would offer a safe traffic-free route for cyclists, runners and pedestrians.
Paul Carron of Lakeland Cycle Club believes the proposal for a greenway in the county is a hugely positive addition for cyclists and pedestrians.
“In regards the introduction of greenways in Fermanagh, everyone in the club sees this as a very positive thing. The proposed map looks great, and there are a lot of routes that cyclists could use.
With beginners and juniors, they would have the chance to get used to cycling before going on the roads, and build their confidence.”
In county Mayo, Westport has been hailed as having an extremely successful greenway with many people benefiting from the addition.
“I was in Westport at the weekend, and they have a very good greenway. It is a great job to get cyclists of the roads, and avoiding traffic. Westport is a very cyclists friendly county, and there is a lot of cycle routes throughout the whole county of Mayo,” added Paul Carron.
Although still in the early stages of the plan, the proposed greenway would link a number of towns and villages throughout the county. A spokesman from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said;
“Pending the outcome of the feasibility study, the greenway could potentially link villages such as Newtownbutler, Maguiresbridge and Lisbellaw with larger towns such as Lisnaskea which has additional facilities to which residents of the villages may not have access.
The route could also provide an alternative means of travelling to work or school thereby reducing the volume of traffic on the roads.”
Under the Department of Infrastructure’s Small grants Scheme, the Council has been awarded £16,000 towards the costs of the feasibility studies.
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