Public opinion regarding the County Down-based £30 million Mourne Mountains Gateway Project has been welcomed by local council.

The project received the funding from the Belfast Region City Deal and will aim to deliver a world-class visitor attraction for the Mourne Mountains.

It comprises a visitor centre at the Thomas Quarry site in the Mourne Mountains and a gondola experience, which will improve accessibility by allowing users to travel sustainably and efficiently from Donard Park to the visitor centre.

A new series of public engagement activities for the project, which have been designed to gather important feedback and provide insights from residents and key community and business stakeholders, have been encouraged by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Pete Byrne.

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Speaking after attending a recent information day at O'Hare's, Newcastle, Cllr Pete Byrne, said: "These public engagement events have allowed us to gather important feedback and ensure that the project reflects the needs of residents and businesses.

"The entire local community has an active role in helping us shape the future of this important landmark project and it was encouraging to see so many involved in the engagement activity."

Cllr Willie Clarke, Co-Chair of the Mourne Mountains Gateway Project Programme Board, added: "The Mourne Mountains Gateway Project has the potential to be a game-changer for the local economy. By enhancing sustainable tourism infrastructure, we are positioning our district as a leading tourism destination, ensuring that future generations benefit from this growth and development."

In addition to the main information day event, local primary school pupils in Newcastle were given the opportunity to learn about the project in structured sessions, focussing on the environmental and tourism aspects. Secondary school students will also be engaging with the Integrated Consultancy Team on the project.

A seminar was also hosted with local businesses from a wide range of sectors to have a focussed discussion and explore how businesses could benefit from the project.

Thoughts can also be shared via this survey.