.Cllr Haughey has written to the Minister for Regional Development Danny Kennedy to ask for his intervention and to agree to provide the cycle lane on the road for the users of the Newry Portadown Canal Towpath.
Cllr Haughey explains, “Residents have been staying in close contact with me regarding ongoing problems associated with the increased number of cyclists and walkers on the Canal Bank Road as it’s an extension of the Newry Portadown Canal Towpath.
“The Towpath continues to be a great success as more and more people get out to walk or cycle on the route to keep fit and healthy. However the problem is, the towpath is a private pathway maintained by the joint committee made up of representatives from Newry Council, Armagh Council and Banbridge Council. The Towpath branches onto the public road at Canal Bank Road and this is where the problems have been occurring.
“The Canal Bank Road is narrow in itself with only room for one car, so when you add cyclists and walkers to the equation there are serious safety concerns as well as great inconvenience for residents.
“I have been fighting for a Cycle Lane for the Canal Bank Road which can be used safely by cyclists and walkers and will not hold up local residents unnecessarily. The previous Roads Minister rejected the idea of the Cycle Lane and I now ask for Minister Kennedy to show leadership and give his approval for this project to go ahead.
“This is a very unique case and merits a swift resolution. The counters on the towpath show that this facility received exceptional high number of visitors; in fact it’s the second most popular tourist counter in Northern Ireland after the Giants Causeway. I think that speaks for itself. “Residents living on the rural Canal Bank Road should not have to put up with bad manners, verbal abuse and deliberate inconvenience any longer.“I hope Minister Kennedy will look favourably on this request.”
ENDS