Proposed Derry bike scheme raises questions about failure to action Derry to Bridgend Greenway

The unanimous decision by Derry and Strabane councillors to write to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins about a Derry Bikes Scheme has prompted questions about Council’s failure to action its proposed Derry to Bridgend Greenway.

Writing in today’s Derry News, Rónán Gallagher, co-founder of the Wee Greenway Initiative in 2014, said the group had hoped “the old redundant Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway corridor could be utilised (where possible) to deliver a safe, segregated route whereby people would chose to cycle and walk to their destination.

In January 2016, the Wee Greenway Initiative delivered a strategy to Derry City and Strabane District Council (DSCDC) on the project’s merits, including costings.

“In December 2016, the EU awarded funding to deliver part of the route under the auspices of its INTERREG programme, namely to develop and construct cross-border infrastructure to encourage cycling and walking,” Mr Gallagher said.

Where is our Greenway?

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Rónán Gallagher was born and raised in Derry City and has been a cycling advocate for much of his adult life.

In 2016, he was the PRO for Foyle Cycling Club. He is the author of Violence and Nationalist Politics in Derry City 1920-23 and has written numerous articles advocating for safer roads and enhanced cycling infrastructure.

In 2000, he was responsible for publishing Bishop Edward Daly’s bestselling book, Mister are you a Priest?

“This meant that the sections linking Derry to Muff and Derry to Buncrana (approximately 43kms) would be delivered along with a smaller route connecting Strabane to Lifford. In total, 46.5kms of ‘greenway’ were to be funded by our European neighbours, with the assistance of Leinster House and Stormont,” he added.

The route linking Derry to Muff was delivered as scheduled - to the benefit of Thornhill College and Hollybush School.

However, while Derry City and Strabane District councillors approved planning permission for the section linking St Columb’s College to Bridgend, the requirement of Donegal County Council (DCC) to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment Report as part of the route towards Buncrana, meant that this section of the project would not be delivered within the timeframe set by EU guidelines.

Mr Gallagher said: “To ensure the North West City Region did not lose this crucial funding, we came up with a plan to extend the greenway in Muff towards Quigley’s Point (coincidentally part of our Wee Greenway vision), and build a section out from Lifford towards Castlefinn. Both of these projects were efficiently delivered by the Roads Directorate of Donegal County Council and were operational by May 2024.

“But even while these sections were being lauded by both councils in the regional media, DSCDC was quietly bringing down the curtain on the Derry-Bridgend route.

“Rather than seek new and separate funding to deliver Derry to Bridgend, the council walked away from the project completely.

“Despite approximately one million euro being invested through the route selection and planning processes, DSCDC has quietly chosen to park this integral section of the Inishowen greenway, one which linked the regional city to Donegal’s second largest town.”

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s proposed Bikes Scheme follows the Department’s allocation of £500,000 this year to the already existing Belfast Bikes Scheme for the purchase of e-bikes.

In a motion brought to full Council last week by SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid and seconded by Cllr Declan Norris, Council welcomed “the success of the North-West Greenway Network and the increased opportunities for people across the city and district to choose active travel”.

Cllr McDaid said Council strived to “improve the health and well-being of all citizens”.

“With the ever growing cost of living crisis and the increased pressures and stress of daily living, encouraging active travel like walking, running and cycling has never been more beneficial,” she said. “We know being outside and exercising brings so much benefit to our physical and mental health and with our beautiful new greenways connecting the city and beyond, more now than ever, I think it is time to encourage everyone to get out and use them.

“If you walk up the quay any night of the week, you will be met with hundreds of people running, jogging, walking, and I think we can expand that now to cycling them.

“The introduction of a Derry Bike Scheme similar to the Belfast Bike Scheme will make it affordable and accessible to more people, encouraging men, women and children to get out and get active.

“I know this has been discussed by Council in the past and often the biggest stumbling block is financing the scheme, but, given the obligation the Department for Infrastructure has to spend 10% of its budget on active travel, we need to get in there and get a piece of that pie.

“Given that Belfast City Council has recently been given £500,000 to expand its scheme, it wouldn’t be a big ask that regional balance is considered and we [Derry] is funded for a similar scheme.

Speaking on behalf of the DUP, Deputy Mayor Ald Niree McMorris said her party welcomed the recognition within the motion of the clear health, social and environmental benefits active travel could bring to the city and district.

“We fully support initiatives that encourage walking, cycling, and the greater use of the North West Greenway Network as a means of improving physical and mental well-being, reducing congestion, and contributing towards meeting our climate responsibilities,” she said.

However, sounding a note of caution, Ald McMorris stressed the “importance of financial responsibility” regarding the proposed Scheme.

“At a time when public services are facing significant pressures, it is vital any proposals for extending active travel schemes such as the introduction of the Derry Bike Network are approached with careful scrutiny.”

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson said Council’s Green Infrastructure was widely used and very popular.

“As a party, we have actively supported our Green Infrastructure plans, at every step and I hope that other parties do the same,” he said.

“We have been lobbying for investment into a Green Infrastructure Plan. We have utilised the investment from Europe that has been lost as a result of Brexit and needs to be replaced um by the British government.”

He added: “I am conscious there is huge need for investment in our infrastructure in this part of the world and if we had £500,000 there are maybe other priorities we will be investing in rather than e-bikes. [However] we wouldn’t be objecting to the motion and on this basis we are content to support [it]”.