Ulster Canal Greenway from Monaghan Town to Middletown, County Armagh (part within Northern Ireland)

The Planning (Development Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and The Planning (Development Management) Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

PUBLIC CONSULTATION EVENT

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, in conjunction with the contracting authority Monaghan County Council, hereby gives notice of its intention to apply to develop a cross border greenway from Monaghan Town to Middletown, County Armagh. Totalling 12.2kms in length, some 2.5kms of this greenway is located in Northern Ireland. It extends from Ardgonnell Bridge on the border, at the River Cor, to Annagola bridge near Middletown.

The proposed greenway in County Armagh follows the route of the Ulster Canal, part of which proceeds alongside the A3 primary road to Middletown. It comprises a 5m corridor incorporating a pathway up to 3m wide with a drainage/buffer verge up to 1m wide on each side. The pathway will consist of an unbound, granular surface course of gravel and dust. Additional works include: erection of one wooden footbridge alongside the existing Ardgonnell roadbridge; creation of parking and amenity area near Annagola Bridge, Middletown; and vegetation clearance and enhancement repairs to listed lockkeepers house (H815/11/033) and historic bridge and lock at Foyduff.

In addition to improving connectivity between communities on both sides of the border, the Greenway is intended to encourage active travel in preference to vehicular transport and to promote the area as a walking/cycling tourist destination.

Further to the public event recently held in the Markethouse, Main St, Middletown on Wednesday 19th August 2020, between the hours of 18:00 and 21:00, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council invites comments from the general public on this proposal.

 This notice does not relate to a planning application; comments should not be made to the Planning Authority within the Council.  Any comments made to the prospective applicant are not representations to the planning authority. When a planning application is subsequently submitted to the Planning Authority within the Council you will have the opportunity to make representation regarding the proposal at that time.

The proposed route of the Greenway is shown at the following website address: https://ulstercanalgreenway.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/sheet-7-of-7-the-border-to-middletown.pdf

Any person wishing to make a comment relating to the proposal can do so via the PAN Feedback Form on the above website https://ulstercanalgreenway.com.  Alternatively, a submission can be made in writing, clearly marked “Cross Border Greenway from Monaghan Town to Middletown” to Dianne Kelly, Corporate Project Officer, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Banbridge Civic Building, Downshire Road, Banbridge, Co. Down, BT32 3JY or at the following email address: dianne.kelly@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.

The deadline for submissions is 4.00pm, Wednesday 4^th November 2020.

This project is supported by the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.