Lagan Navigation Proposed Re opening Framework

Public Consultation Analysis of Responses October 2012

The Lagan Navigation Proposed Re‐opening Framework

1.0 Background to the Lagan Trust

The Trust was formed in January 2009. Its Board members include representatives from , Castlereagh, Lisburn and Craigavon Councils, Outdoor Recreation NI (ORNI), the Inland Waterway Association of (IWAI) Lagan Branch; Waterways Group, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and the Environment Agency (NIEA) and 6 Public Directors representing a wide range of stakeholders;

1. Community and User Groups 2. Farming and Landholding 3. Built Heritage and Culture 4. Natural Heritage 5. Tourism and Business 6. Engineering and Cost Management

The proposed Re opening Framework and delivery programme informs Trusts the primary objective to re open the Lagan Navigation

2.0 Introduction to the Lagan Navigation The Lagan Navigation was one of the most successful commercial navigations in Ireland and boasts the only flight of 4 locks (Union Locks, Lisburn) in the Irish waterway network. These locks lifted the barges 26 feet over a distance of 100 yards. The remains of the Lagan Navigation is one of the region’s best assets as it passes through the cities of Belfast and Lisburn, traverses through rolling countryside and picturesque villages entering , the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles. Along with the , Upper Bann Navigation, and Coalisland , the Lagan Navigation was abandoned in the 1950s when they failed to compete with goods transported by rail and road. Since abandonment, these former navigations have been operated primarily as water courses for land drainage purposes.

3.0 Development of the Trust’s Operational Area The rationale for developing an operational area is the opportunity it presents for bringing together public and private sector interests and those of the communities, over 240,000 people, along the 64 square miles into a focused, dedicated zone where social well‐being is supported by a vibrant economy sustained by a healthy environment. This combines the potential for community, economic, physical and environmental regeneration and conservation. The identification of assets ‐ cultural, heritage, environmental and ecological within the Operational Area, irrespective of ownership, is underway.

The Operational Area, Fig 1 highlights the role the re‐opening of the Lagan Navigation could have in strategically linking the inland waterway system in Ireland to maximise the tourism and employment potential of over 600 miles of waterways. Fig 2, shows waterways in Ireland.

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Fig 1 Lagan Canal Trust’s Operational Area in green with route of navigation in bold red

This material is Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Land and Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright and database rights NIMA CS&LA 156

Fig 2 Map showing waterways of Ireland

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4.0 Setting the Context of the Public Consultation The Lagan Canal Trust represents a wide cross section of interests, and will continue to work together to co‐ordinate investigations and press for the re opening and promote the benefits of the Lagan Navigation ‐ as custodians. Successful re‐opening will require a cohesive partnership approach at all levels, between Government Departments and agencies, local authorities, the voluntary and private sectors and of course our main driver ‐ communities. In order to meet the wide objectives and proposals in this Framework and deliver change for the benefit of all, the Trust has consulted on a wide and regular basis.

On‐going consultation will be held with members of the Trust, its partners, individual user groups, the private sector and with local community through workshops, in particular at key stages in the development of the Framework, notably on the; • Identification of landscape character • Development of a sustainable vision for the Navigation Operational area • Development of policies and objectives.

Reopening the Navigation will contribute to creating a living Lagan as it traverses the 27 miles through the three counties of Antrim, Down and . Over 250,000 people live within the 70+square miles of the Trust Operational Area there are 141 schools with 35K+ pupil population all within 1.5 miles either side of the Navigation itself.

The Navigation tow path presents the opportunity to connect to current transportation services, including 8 railway stations, to provide ready access to green spaces and many existing and proposed new outdoor recreation pursuits. The opportunity to connect with a wealth of existing heritage features the re opening will create will benefit rural and urban communities and special interest groups.

To best detail the works and facilitate phasing of the construction of the Lagan Navigation the Operational Area has been subdivided into seven reaches as follows:

1. to Stranmillis 2. Stranmillis to Edenderry 3. Edenderry to Lisburn 4. Lisburn to Maze 5. Maze to Zion Hill 6. Zion Hill to Broadwater 7. Broadwater to Ellis Gut

These seven reaches have been determined based on feasible packages of works which would maximise the length of navigable channel for each element of construction works. The reaches were then subdivided further to provide a breakdown of each individual project within a reach.

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Drawings of each reach and the individual projects within that reach were displayed at the consultation events. Participants were invited to comment and these were recorded.

5.0 Public Consultation To inform the proposed Framework and articulate the engineering and environmental challenges the Trust drafted a Consultation Re opening Plan which was the first steps in guiding the commissioning of two vital research reports; the Preliminary Engineering Designs and Costings for all proposed re‐opening works along the route from Belfast Harbour right through to Lough Neagh, and the Strategic Environmental Assessment: how the engineering and other works will impact on the environment and how to get the balance right. These reports were available for comment through the consultation process.

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5.1 Timeline • Marketing the public information and consultation events May 2012 • 12 public information meetings held along 27 mile route July 2012 • Consultation Re opening Plan and supporting documentation published on the Trusts web site July 2012 • 6 week public consultation of Consultation Re opening Plan begins July 2012 • Statutory consultation 6 weeks period of the SEA Environmental Report begins July 2012 • 2 Major public consultation events held August 2012 • Public and statutory consultation period ends Sept 2012 • Programme of presentations to Councils along the route begins Oct 2012

5.1 Public Information Meetings The Public Information meetings and major Public Consultation events were publicised through press releases see APPENDIX 1 and a series of displays at libraries and Council offices along the route of the navigation. All the venues shown displayed information detailing VENUE the dates and times of all the Public Information meetings and the two Public Consultation events. The Belfast City Hall Trust marketed directly to over 2,000 community Falls Road Library groups and user groups within its Operational Area. Castlereagh Borough Council offices Additionally all Members of the Legislative Assembly Woodstock Road Library (MLAs) and all publicly elected members throughout Island Civic Centre, Lisburn Northern Ireland were invited to both major Craigavon Civic Centre consultation events. Lough Neagh Discovery Centre Library The Public Information sessions, intended to introduce Train Station the Lagan Navigation history and current work of the Lurgan Train Station Trust to a wider audience, were also used as an Moira Train Station opportunity to further promote the major consultation Lisburn Train Station events. The meetings were held throughout the 70 square miles of the Trusts Operational Area at the venues shown.

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Shaftsbury Community Centre, Belfast These sessions were successful in reaching a diverse audience throughout July 2012. The general consensus Castlereagh Community Centre of the attendees was that the overall project would Island Civic Centre, Lisburn make a positive impact in both rural and urban locations and their communities, and whilst there were Finaghy Community Centre questions raised regarding funding of the project Aghalee Village Hall support was wide spread for early implementation of

Lough Neagh Discovery Centre the programme for delivery of the project.

Craigavon Civic Centre

5.2 The Major Public Consultation Events The two major consultation events were held to examine public response to the draft Consultation Re Opening Plan, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Engineering Design and Costings report at the Ramada Hotel, Shaws Bridge, Belfast and Lough Neagh Discovery Centre Craigavon in August 2012.

The events were chaired by the Trust Chair, Erskine Holmes OBE and some 50 people attended the events. The two MLAs attending, Anna Lo and Sam Gardiner offered their in‐principle support of the proposed re opening the Lagan Navigation. Belfast Telegraph covered the events and the full page feature is shown at APPENDIX 1. The events were also covered in a BBC interview with the Chairman on Radio Ulster on the 1st August.

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5.2 Statutory consultation

It is a requirement of an SEA that the draft Environmental Report, which follows the SEA Scoping Study of the Trusts Operational Area and the potential impact of the proposal to re open the Lagan Navigation, is consulted on by statutory bodies. The only statutory body required to consult on an SEA is Northern Ireland Environment Agency but the Trusts took the decision to conduct a more inclusive approach at an early stage of the process in July 2012. The wider consultees are listed below; • Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) – Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Team • Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure (DCAL) – Recreation & Fisheries Agri‐Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) • Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) – Rivers Agency • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) • Ulster Angling Federation (UAF) • Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) – Natural Heritage • Belfast City Council • Lisburn City Council • Castlereagh Borough Council • Craigavon Borough Council

The full responses are contained in the Final Environmental Report which is available at www.lagancanaltrust.org

6.0 The Consultation Questionnaire A structured questionnaire was used to gather in greater detail the views of residents and agencies and elected members on what they considered to be the most important projects within the proposed re opening plans. The questionnaire was available at both major consultation events and was also emailed to community groups and user groups. The questionnaire was published on the Trusts web site for consultation over a period of 6 weeks ending in September 2012. Members of the public were invited to go to www.lagancanaltrust.org to view the suite of documents and were also invited to complete the questionnaire. Some 54 completed questionnaires were received with additional comments from attendees at the public information and consultation events.

The responses of the questionnaire are recorded and have been analysed below.

Age and Gender Breakdown of questionnaire consultees

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6.1 Awareness, observations on key objectives and usage

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Q13: How do you think safety could be improved?

Comments recorded from questionnaire • More Rangers and Staff • Neighborhood PSNI Cycle Patrols‐ Particularly in the spring and summer evenings • Warden/Supervisor on bike or similar patrolling and having a presence • Good practice design guidance • Lighting • A warden on Call • Possibly employ a warden full time on a bike • Separate Cyclist where possible • By increasing usage so there are more people on towpath ‘safety in numbers’. • Regular cleaning of broken glass • Warning signs may be of benefit • Fencing the canal Banks • A wider path to allow walkers more room to pass each other • Cut the grass on the water side of the path as children tend to run near the water • Better managed paths and river banks • Regular policing • Better Lighting • Design out antisocial behavior • Where the Lagan is very exposed at side of path a fence could be provided • Safety can always be improved • Cyclist should slow down • More access/exits points including more bridges • At present a wider path would provide the room for pedestrians and cyclists to feel easier when trying to pass

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6.2 Articulating public opinion on design/facilities and features

Q14: Do you ever stop anywhere along the towpath? For example to fish, to rest, have refreshments, get information, enjoy scenery, watch boats etc if so where do you think are the best places to stop?

Comments recorded from questionnaire • To rest, to eat, to fish‐ 3 is good and Edenderry • I often stop to watch the heron dipping for fish and the swans being controlled by the boss Swan. • Usually Shaws Bridge but the lock keepers cottage on occasion • Lock keepers cottage/Lisburn council • Lagan Valley Regional Park and Lock keepers cottage • Lagan Valley Island • Lock keepers • Shaws Bridge, Lockkeepers cottage. • Lady Dixon Park • Yes. Lock keepers cottage • Lady Dixon Park and Lagan Valley Island • Yes. Café……. There is a little wooded area west of the Lock keepers cottage that is great for kids to hide and seek • Lock 3 and the Broadwater • Lock keepers cottage – Refreshments are welcome and a sit down at 71 years old one needs to rest their backs • Stop during tow path cycle rides on seats, benches near Moira and on the Lisburn section • Lock keepers Inn, Lisburn Civic Centre (I don’t travel the towpath in Belfast but I am sure there are some nice places there • There are not many places, we Picnic at Giants ring • Coffee Shop • Lock 3 – Lock keepers Inn and the lock keepers Cottage

Q16: Would you like to see more boat moorings or other boating facilities if so where?

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Comments recorded from questionnaire

• More boat moorings to encourage future boaters • Yes Broadwater • Where there is a good car park with facilities • Shaws Bridge, Lock keepers cottage, Lisburn • Everywhere. Let people live on boats on the lagan • Would need to be considered regarding the types of boats and where they can access the Lagan Navigation • Yes close to areas of interest and amenities • Yes Canoe jetties at all access points and locks. Make it clear they are jetties and not fishing stands! • Broadwater and Union Locks and area along Shaws bridge • Yes by the water sport centre a raft would be good • Yes between Shaws Bridge and Lisburn • At all populated points from Aghagallon to Stranmillis and at Lough Neagh • More access for canoeists • No, only want to see canoes on Lagan

Q17: Are towpath entrances/access points easy to use? If not, how can they be improved?

Comments recorded from questionnaire

• Any I know look ok to me • No ‐ not in Craigavon Area • There is limited parking at access points • Bigger and better ones needed • Access to canal at Ellis Gut is a problem that needs to be resolved • Ok – not really made obvious at present • No‐poorly sign posted and no sense of arrival at the branded towpath/ visitor offering • Sometimes flooding at Drumbridge entrance • Better Car parking facilities i.e. better surfacing • All aren’t sign posted • Lack of public awareness • More space needs to be provided at the access points, Shaws Bridge in particular

Q18: How could the navigation be made more attractive? Comments recorded from questionnaire • Some way to keep vandalism down. Sort of policing or ranger patrol who are dedicated • Remove rubbish and fallen trees • Developments at nodes along the route • Towpath the whole way from Belfast to Lough Neagh • Clean up the water based rubbish • If it was brought to Lough Neagh and Cranagh Broadwater section linked • By being used more • Centrally branded and marketed • Development of heritage related attraction / project • Cleaner water, remove rubbish. • Improved information with better awareness campaign

• Provision of campsites, caravanning and pump‐out facilities at nodes • This is one for people with boats • Interactive maps on web site and QR codes along route • Good access for communities and better publicity • More coffee shops along towpath or accessible from towpath •Lagan Park Navigation benches proposed located Re opening along towpathFramework to ‐ Publicstop andConsultation rest Analysis October 2012 Page 14 • Better management of the river/canal re litter • Information boards and interactive activities for children • More Laganscape enhancement projects • Open the navigation right through to Lough Neagh

Q19: What additional facilities or further improvements would you like to see on or in the vicinity of the Lagan Navigation? Comments recorded from questionnaire • Don’t know what actual facilities there are at the moment • Boatbuilding • Chandlery • Toilets, signage, cafes and nice pubs • Riverside development • More wildlife • More toilets – everywhere! • Toilets and showers for sport • Wildlife, historical panels telling us about the canal • More people using it • Toilets • More toilet facilities • More interpretation • Implementation of a signage strategy • Amenities for kayaks/boats • Campsite • Accessible toilets and parking facilities • More coffee shops, restaurants • Coffee shops and toilets • Possibility for small camping sites at various points • Toilet facilities particularly at Shaws Bridge • Facilities for canoeists to store boats and change • Fishing stands, coffee shops/ toilet facilities • Bike hire • More maintenance like grass cutting along towpath • Clean up the locks and rivers • Boats slowing down for Rowers • Boat hire, restaurants and bars • Restoration and development of industrial site to provide housing and services • A facility that could be used as a educational resource for the whole lagan valley • Improve the width of the towpath and increase car park capacity • Not a lot of change can improve on nature – just a little encouragement • Removal of redundant weirs

Q20: Which other waterways are you aware of in Northern Ireland and what is your experience of them? Comments recorded from questionnaire • I’ve walked them all and boated on them and photographed them‐ open the Lagan • I am most familiar with the and I use its towpath on a regular basis

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• Only boating on Strangford Lough lets get it on the Lagan • Newry Canal Towpath – excellent wildlife resource • excellent for cruising • Newry Towpath – long off road access • Having used Fermanagh Lakes for canoeing. Linking Belfast would be ideal • Lough Erne – it was a good experience • Newry Canal – Moneypennys lock house is a good facility but does not encourage a return visit • Newry Canal‐ very good for cycling / walking and wildlife spotting. You can also use the seats and picnic also visit Moneypennys lock • Erne waterway/Shannon, ideal for boating • The Broadwater, Lough Erne, Coal Island – all lovely • Regularly use Bann and Erne systems and varieties of other rivers and lakes • Newry Canal towpath, Blackwater, (canoeing, walking, cycling, fishing) • Newry Canal – requires attention. Lagan‐ has greatly improved keep going • Newry Canal. Problems with dog mess ,cyclist fishing hooks and litter • Erne Waterway a very good experience • just my Lagan Love ‐ Lough Erne useful for boating unlike this project 6.3 Environmental Issues

Q22 What do you think are the key existing environmental issues associated with the Lagan navigation? Comments recorded from questionnaire • Water Quality • Breach of habitat directive, WFD breach, permanent destruction of habitat and fish population and a continual pollution by sediment. • Invasive species disaster • I suppose drainage from farms of certain substrates • Water quality, habitat quality, litter debris etc • Litter + dumping / Access • Used as dumping ground for residents/business, sewage smells along towpath and general lack of ownership. • Agriculture and industrial discharges • More fish passes required • Pollution from surround businesses • Water pollution, litter in water and youths drinking etc • Make it cleaner and better maintained • Preservation for future generations • Pollution, litter, dumping and silting of the river • Sewage pollution • Keeping it clean, then more awareness of what has been achieved, nature corridor • Invasive plant species would be one

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• The water stinks and is rat infested in public areas (Shaws Bridge)

Q23 Do you have any comment on the draft SEA Environmental Report? Comments recorded from the questionnaire • Good awareness of its benefits and added value it brings to the community • Very poor. Lacking in baseline data, fails to detail monitoring required to complete dataset • Fails to quantify environmental impact • There is an assumption that flood only occurs in winter. In recent years there have been several instances of heavy rain fall resulting in a very high flow in the river which would result in closure of navigation in summer months if not controlled • It has a good range of mitigation measures. • Mitigation must be adopted for the reopening to work well • This is a comprehensive report but I feel there are still 2 areas of great concern ‐ It will be impossible to mitigate against biodiversity loss without the acquisition of more land and canalization of the river at Lisburn

Q24 Do you have any concerns that have not been raised in the SEA report? Comments recorded from questionnaire • Opening the waterway will result in the transfer of Lough Neagh trout to the Lagan and result in a loss of native genetic stocks to both systems • Sufficient storage capacity needs to be provided to allow river flows to be controlled following heavy rainfall in summer storms • Local community and tourism will benefit • Continued ownership and maintenance of the Navigation post development • Invasion of privacy, vandalism, people where there are none at present • A reopening of the Lagan will increase the variety of wetland habitat making the corridor more homogeneous

Q25 Do you have any further proposals for mitigation to add to those in the SEA report?

Comments recorded from questionnaire

• A canal is not a river. Any new canal cuts should be separate from the river, you have not learned from the history of the lagan navigation • It will enhance the populations quality of life and bring extra benefit to the local communities • That some provision be made/included to allow the Lagan Navigation to become a working commercial navigation again.(The way diesel prices is going this may not be all that farfetched) • Due to the change in users of the Lough Neagh from people who work e.g. fishermen/sandmen, its recreational users unfamiliar with Lough Neagh more planning needed for safety on the Lough • Acquiring extra land will be essential to replace lost habitat and to hold species during the excavation and building work

7.0 Thinking about the individual projects proposed for your area

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Q27 How will your chosen project make a difference to your area?

Comments recorded from questionnaire • It will encourage more people to use those part of the towpath which is currently limited in terms of length • More visitors, more vibrant economy • Increased footfall on the towpath • Product development for the wider metropolitan region linking industrial heritage • Sustainability of the existing site • Potential for volunteer engagement • Educational resource. Will further communicate the history and workings of the lock • A Europeans Capital city with a potential beautiful leisure activity with a historical past – what more? • To enable equal access for all and to encourage participation by disabled people • Recreational use by local folk • More people living a healthier life style • Navigation lengthened. Economic regeneration • Improved economic opportunity with larger navigation waterway • Better recreational facilities and urban regeneration • Make longer stretch of navigation. Maybe lagan belle or similar enterprise would return • Huge potential for housing and local service provision with opportunities for hospitality and craft business in a historic site with extensive high quality river and canal side environment • Increased traffic and thus economic and tourism potential to local area • Improve the safe of the public using the access points, increase the access to the water for canoeing activities, improve the amenity while enhancing the wild life habitat. Creating an enhanced viewing opportunity for the people on the river” • “Will extend LVRP and provide access for all in a tranquil park

Q28 What impact will your chosen project have on Northern Ireland generally?

Comments recorded from questionnaire • It would contribute to the cycling provision around Lough Neagh • I think it will bring more tourists and boaters from abroad and from the • Underpins the tourism potential • Within 5 years of Lagan Navigation re opening, either the Newry, Coalisland or Ulster Canals will also have Lagan Navigationopened toproposed increase Re opening in tourism Framework from ‐ continentPublic Consultation Analysis October 2012 Page 18 • Improved tourism potential, increased outdoor activity opportunities for PWD, improved health and well being amongst disabled people and older people • Enhance the image of N.I • Long term health benefits for those who get into outdoor sports

8.0 About you and any other comments

Q30: Please add any other comments or suggestions. For example, what do you like about the proposals and what would you change?

Comments recorded from questionnaire • I think re‐opening the navigation and towpath would be a great boost to the Northern Ireland economy. I would however prefer a new canal cut as opposed to canalizing the river as this would reduce many of the environmental impacts and giver opportunities to mitigate for habitat loss • Proposals are ok. Lots of people walk, jog, cycle and fish at the moment, nice to see boats etc on the lagan once again. • I was on the Lagan Belle when it was operating and it stopped because if you excuse the pun “was going nowhere” • Ulster canal should be priority to link south and the north. Thousands of boats down there.” • Get the money and get on with it asap! • I think the proposals are fantastic and credit to all involved, I know the effort required.

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• This is a vast untapped resource which needs to be exploited • Great initiative • Keep up with your proposals and push all agencies for funding from Stormont who have ignored this opportunity for too long • Any new or refurbished weirs MUST be compatible with the activities on the river, i.e. suitable for traverse by canoe, kayak at all water levels safely • A project with little regard for the environment. • Disregarding a new cut separate from the a mistake, driven by expense with no quantification

Comments from the Public Consultation Event on 31 July 2012 in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast

Name Comment Jim Haughey (Ulster Angling Federation) Concerned about canalisation of the natural river Trevor Ogborne Very concerned about the proposal for Drumbeg. Also concerned about sustainability, and the costs associated with ongoing maintenance of a reopened navigation Claire Cockerill (WWF) Concerned about the ability to meet the Water Framework Directives, and associated funding implications. Clare Bailey (Green Party) Commented that this is a well thought out and positive opportunity to preserve heritage Gerard McCann (CBRE) Commented that the Lagan Canal Trust were to be commended, as this was a fantastic proposal which would create job opportunities throughout Northern Ireland. Jerome Downing (Aghalee Village Hall) Concerned about flooding risks if water table is to be raised by 6‐8 feet, as existing flood plain has been built over.

Comments from the Public Consultation Event on 2nd August, Lough Neagh Discovery Centre

Name Comment

Joe Nelson Craigavon Borough Council Wants us to look at prioritising Ellis’ Gut to Broadwater or as an elected member interim step develop the towpath from Ellis’ Gut to Moira, overall he is very supportive of the work being proposed. Gary Houston (Ulster Angling Federation) Against full re‐opening, concerned with meeting the Water Framework Directive and believes the project is not going to help this. Fully supportive of the towpath re‐opening along the entire route. Paul Quinn (Lough Neagh Rescue) Asked if there have been calculations on the amount of vessels passing through the network to Lough Neagh? The number of boats on the Lough has trebled in the last decade. He welcomes development but is concerned with the potential number of boats whilst seeing the commercial opportunity Frank Brady (Landowner) The scheme looks fantastic, when can we expect further engagement with landowners? Paddy Prunty (Kinnego Marina) There is a cycle route from Belfast through Kinnego down to Fermanagh that has became popular, it is written about in a Dutch book Liam DeFresna (artist) Welcomes re‐opening, believes that artistic elements should be used throughout the works, the section from Shaw’s bridge to Lisburn is being developed for cultural tourism

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Samuel Gardiner MLA Looking forward to articulating my support in the Assembly. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help promote this exciting project

9.0 Key Findings from the Public Consultation

Appendix 1

Public Consultation Documents

• Marketing Material • Press Release • Article from Belfast Telegraph • Questionnaire

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