Plans for lighting on the Comber Greenway to increase evening footfall have entered public consultation.

A popular walking and cycling path, the seven mile long traffic free route between Belfast and Comber has enjoyed increased footfall over the last year.

Research from the Department for Infrastructure found that usage of the Comber Greenway increased by around 80% over the twelve month period April 2020 – March 2021. Despite this, considerable drop off in footfall was discovered in the evenings or during the darker winter months.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is now urging members of the public to have a say on the plans for lighting on the greenway.

Minister Mallon said: "Active travel and the development of greenways is key to my green recovery action plan and this consultation is an opportunity to hear directly from the public on how we can make progress.

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"While the Covid crisis has brought unprecedented challenges and has fundamentally changed the way we live, there is no doubt that it has also created an opportunity for us all to take a closer look at how we travel or spend our leisure time as we improve our health and well-being.

"The introduction of a new red spectrum lighting scheme, the first of its kind on these islands, would potentially make travel throughout the whole year more feasible while also minimising light pollution and protecting the local environment and bat population along this corridor.

"Enhancing our active travel facilities allows us to better connect communities, improve our health and wellbeing and also tackle the climate crisis. This consultation sets out a number of options and I want to give careful consideration to all opinions on the best way forward. That includes those who regularly use the greenway to walk, wheel, or cycle and those residents and businesses who live or work along it and may have views about a lighting scheme. 

"I would encourage everyone with an interest or view on this subject to respond to the consultation. I want to hear from you."

Further details on the consultation are available here.

The consultation will close on 30 September 2021.