Plans for a new 3.5km greenway in Strabane, Co Tyrone, have taken a major step forward.

The proposal for a £1m cycling and walking route was given the green light at a recent meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee.

The route will connect the A5, Derry Road, Canal Basin, River Mourne Flood Wall and Strabane Retail Park. It will also form a key section of the overall Strabane-Lifford greenway which is part of the North West Greenway Network project, which will see the District connected with Buncrana, Lifford and Muff.

Proposals also include amendments to existing road kerb alignments, new road markings and signage, drainage, hard and soft landscaping, new path lighting and adjustments to existing road lighting and boundary treatments.

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Welcoming the project, Chair of Derry City and Strabane District Council Planning Committee, Councillor Christopher Jackson said: "The completed project will offer cyclists and walkers a wider, safer and more user friendly experience and can play a key role in encouraging the public to get out into the fresh air and reap the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity.

"It will also provide an incentive for more local people to choose active travel which will have a positive impact on the environment by reducing congestion and fuel emissions."

The project, which has been in development for three years, is highlighted as a key capital project in Council's Strategic Growth Plan. Funding has been provided through the INTERREG VA programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding is provided by the Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the Department for Transport, Tourism and Sport in Ireland.

The Council will now to look to appoint a construction firm to take on the project with the hope of reaching completion some time in 2020.

(CM/MH)