The Department for Infrastructure has allocated £2.5 million for the development of greenways in Northern Ireland.

The Department will continue supporting local councils to deliver greenways in Strathfoyle, Strabane North, Forth Meadow, Lagan Gateway.

Minister Nichola Mallon made the announcement as she was on site to see the progress on the Strathfoyle Greenway in Derry on a visit to the city.

The Strathfoyle Greenway is a 2.7 kilometre extension to the Waterside Greenway, which will link the residential area of Strathfoyle to Derry City and the wider Greenway network. The Department is completing resurfacing and new road layout as well as creating a shared use path and a new Toucan Pedestrian Crossing point on the route.

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Minister Mallon said: "Greenway development is part of our programme to create public spaces which have a wide range of benefits for health and well-being and also for the environment. Greenways also have the potential to attract tourism. That is why I am continuing to support these projects from my £20 million Blue/Green Fund. I have also allocated £0.6 million to support preliminary work on a number of other Council greenway proposals and I am ready to make further funding allocations available to Councils that are in a position to start construction in 2021/22.

"I am committed to creating more active travel opportunities and developing sustainable infrastructure projects like this one which will help deliver cleaner, greener, sustainable active travel infrastructure across our island. I look forward to seeing this project when it is completed and hope that people right across the City of Derry will be able to enjoy this active space."