Group set up to tackle lack of traffic free greenways in Strabane

A NEW group has been set up to campaign for better greenway infrastructure in the Strabane area.

‘Strabane Greenways' has held a round of meetings with local councillors and engaged with council officials about the lack of traffic free greenways in the town and the need for healthier travel options.

Strabane Greenways spokesperson Daithí McKay explained: "Strabane Greenways was set up as a response to a growing demand for better active travel infrastructure in the town.

"Local people want to have better options to walk, cycle or wheel that are quiet and away from road emissions.

“The group’s membership include locals who are involved in sports clubs in the town, parents who want to see better traffic-free spaces for their children and business representatives who recognise the potential a well-planned greenway has to create economic and tourism opportunities.

“It has been eight years since the proposal was put forward for a riverside greenway between Strabane and Sion Mills that would create a quiet, peaceful 6km route from the town centre and that would give local people the option of walking space that they do not have at present.

"This work clearly needs to be progressed more urgently.”

The group has set up a ten person committee that will be involved in greenway and active travel campaigning for the Strabane area.

Committee member, Carol Gallagher added: "In other parts of the council area, such as Strathfoyle, we have seen the development of high quality quiet greenways and there is clearly a demand here for the same infrastructure.

"With greenway projects being prioritised in surrounding areas it is clear that Strabane will link into a developing Donegal network and potential traffic free routes to Derry and Omagh in the near future.

"That is why it is important that the greenway from Strabane to Sion Mills is progressed.

“We want to see the council prioritise this long overdue project in this council term and ensure that it is a genuine off-road greenway away from the main roads in the town.”