Connswater Community Greenway Phase 2 Contractor Announced

10 October 2014

Today Belfast Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon announced that Farrans has been awarded the multi-million pound contract for Phase 2 of the Connswater Community Greenway project.

The announcement was made at an event in Holywood Arches Library where a short video was played that summarised the Connswater Community Greenway work to date and future plans. All of the partners involved in the project were in attendance including the Big Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council, Department for Social Development , Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Rivers Agency and the East Belfast Partnership - as well as representatives of the local community, the First Minister, Peter Robinson and east Belfast MP, Naomi Long.

Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon said at the launch:

“Today is another exciting step forward in the evolution of the Connswater Community Greenway – a project with the community at its very heart. We are already seeing the benefits of the project with over £5m of improvements including: new paths, bridges, lighting, wildlife areas in Orangefield and Victoria Parks, and the Sam Thompson Bridge linking the Greenway to the city centre. Phase 1 is now complete and we look forward to working with Farrans to deliver Phase 2, allowing all of us to realise our dream of creating a world-class park, stretching from Belfast Lough to the Castlereagh Hills."

Wendy Langham, Programme Manager of the Connswater Community Greenway also said:

“We have been delighted with the greenway that has been delivered to date and the extensive use of the Victoria and Orangefield Park sections. We are very excited that the next phase of the greenway will soon be underway, connecting the people and places in east Belfast.”

Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said:

“We can already see the positive difference that the first phase of the Connswater Community Greenway project is making to thousands of people in east Belfast and beyond. As well as the many environmental improvements, it is fantastic to see so many people out enjoying the greenway and improving their health and well being at the same time. We are really excited to see this good work built upon in Phase 2, which when complete will allow even greater numbers of people to benefit from this fantastic resource for the city.”

Head of Rivers Agency, Catherine McCallum, added:

“I am very pleased that the flood alleviation works included in Phase 1 are now complete and I know that local residents are very happy with the progress that has been made. Phase 2 will build on that progress and for me, one of the greatest benefits of the overall project will be the much reduced risk of flooding to 1,700 home and businesses in the area.”

Now that the contract has been awarded it is hoped that work will start on the ground at the beginning of next year (2015). The draft programme of works will also be available in a number of weeks.

Let us know what you think about the Phase 2 plans on Facebook or Tweet us @ConnswaterCG. You can also watch the video that was showcased at today's announcement which includes interviews with local people and also details of what's in store for the next phase of the Connswater Community Greenway.

- See more at: http://www.communitygreenway.co.uk/news/