Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy MLA has awarded a £4.3million investment package to four local councils to promote Active Travel Demonstration Projects.

The local investment comes as a result of a competition inviting all councils in Northern Ireland to submit proposals for funding to develop projects to enhance and improve

active travel, such as walking and cycling.

The successful proposals which came from Belfast City Council, Craigavon Borough Council, Derry City Council and Strabane District Council, are considered to have great

potential to become flagship demonstration projects.

Mr Kennedy said: "My Department is committed to helping rebalance our transport infrastructure and promote walking and cycling as realistic and healthy

alternative means of transport, particularly for people making short journeys in urban areas.

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"I am very grateful to all the councils who responded and put so much effort into their submissions. I congratulate the four successful councils and I am confident that

their particular schemes will inspire all of us to consider how we travel and the effects our choices have on the environment."

Craigavon Borough Council and Derry City Council will each be awarded grants of some £1.3million.

Craigavon Borough Council's proposals include plans to revitalise their walking and cycle network along an approximate eight mile central spine, linking two main train

stations, numerous schools, a hospital, shopping centres, industrial estates, leisure facilities and places of work.

Derry City Council put forward proposals to create new traffic free greenways to enhance accessibility between schools, businesses and residential areas to serve to make

cycling and walking within the city an attractive option for everyone, while promoting healthy living and social wellbeing.

Strabane District Council successfully bid for a £873,000 grant funding to develop walking and cycling routes which will include a bridge across the River Mourne.

The proposed bridge will open up the town and remove the physical divide between the town centre and residential areas, schools, shops, sport and leisure facilities and

churches.

Belfast City Council will be awarded some £700,000 to fund a public bike hire scheme for locals and visitors. The scheme will enhance access to the city centre commercial

and retail centres from the surrounding neighbourhood helping create a more connected city for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

(CD/GK)