Derry planners approve Foyle Valley Greenway lights project

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee have approved a programme of works to improve the greenway area beside Foyle Valley Railway.

The Planning Committee granted full planning permission for a programme of improvements for the greenway area beside Foyle Valley Railway at Thursday's . The plans include the installation of 50 new lighting columns and also the resurfacing of the existing public footpath for the benefit of the many runners, walkers and cyclists who regularly use the area.

The improvements will mean the area is more accessible, with the new lighting improving visibility in the evenings and opening the greenway up to more users.

Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr John Boyle, welcomed the improvements, saying: “The Greenway ‘Out the Line’ as it’s known, is one of the most popular and scenic routes for local people, and these improvements will make a huge difference for visitors. Additional lighting will open up and rejuvenate the area and mean more people can use the greenway in the evenings.

“We are extremely lucky to have such an extensive greenway network promoting active travel and providing numerous other health benefits, which will also see a boost from this programme of work.”

The greenway follows the route of the former Derry-Portadown Great Northern Railway line out towards the border, and the six-metre high columns with LED lights, will be interspersed at 30m distances fronting both the River Foyle and the northern boundary.

The existing landscaping within the site boundaries will be retained and will aid integration and provide natural screening. The existing greenway path will be resurfaced and extended to be three metre wide in sections making it even more accessible for users. Further alterations such as replacement railings on sections of the river wall and on the pedestrian feature bridge are also proposed, as is the resurfacing of the existing drainage channel along the river wall.

Welcoming the news Sinn Féin Councillor Patricia Logue said: “This is welcome news. Back in 2018 I called on the Council to look at this section of the riverfront with the possibility of introducing lights there.

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“We have been campaigning on this issue since so this is a good news day.

“Anyone who is regularly in the Foyle Road area will see hundreds of people use the walkway along the riverfront on a daily and nightly basis. At any time there will be people out running, walking with their families or walking the family pet at the park land there.

“These plans will greatly enhance the area and link in with the walkway right down past the Peace Bridge. It will also light the entire area up at night and make the place safer."