Belfast is to get its first purpose built mountain bike trail at Barnett's Demesne as part of Belfast City Council's citywide Investment Programme.

Work on the 12km of trails, dirt jump area and associated infrastructure will get underway at the south Belfast park in the week commencing Monday, 3rd December.

Councillor Gerard McCabe, Chairman of the Parks and Leisure Committee said: “The aim of the £445,000 project, a partnership between Belfast City Council and Outdoor Recreation NI, with funding assistance from Sport NI and Rural Development Programme, is to create an outstanding recreational facility for local and national mountain bikers.

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"Approximately 600,000 walkers and cyclists use this recreational hub every year, and in the past, there have been issues with unauthorised trails and jumps being established on the land.

"In creating this purpose built facility we are responding to user demand and to health and safety concerns for all groups using the park. Certain areas of the park and land between Barnett's Demesne and Mary Peter's Track will be off limits during the work which is expected to last until next spring," added the councillor.

Experienced contractor, Euro Services have been appointed, and preliminary work on the trail has already begun.