Plans for paths network on Slieve Croob and Mournes

Plans for paths network on Slieve Croob and Mournes

23 November 2016

LOCAL people are being given an opportunity to view ambitious plans to develop Northern Ireland’s first community trail plans for the Slieve Croob and Mournes areas. 

Outdoor Recreation NI (ORNI) is working on behalf of Newry Mourne and Down Council on the new initiative which will allow the local authority to strategically plan and work towards creating a network of off-road trails linking people from their front door to green space and one community to another.

A series of public -in sessions are being organised to help ORNI build a complete picture of all existing community paths in the area. The first takes place at the Dan Rice Hall in Drumaness next Monday, November 28, and at the Newcastle Centre the following day. 

Both sessions run between noon and 8pm and are designed to provide an opportunity for people to call in to view the ‘map of paths’ to date and to give any additional path information which could be included.

ORNI development officer, Heather Hoffman, described the drop-in 

sessions as a “brilliant opportunity” for people to tell the organisation about where they currently walk and where they would like to walk in and around their own community. 

“The aim for our Community Trail Plan is to help enable decision makers to focus resources and prioritise path development projects with a long-term vision. This will hopefully in the future allow us to work in partnership with local landowners and communities, towards formalising and way marking these community trails which will give future generations the chance to enjoy our countryside,” she added.