ARMAGH TO PORTADOWN GREENWAY
“Bell Burnell Greenway”
The connection between two of the main hubs of the former Great Northern Railway, this 15km route could be redeveloped as a stunning greenway.
At Portadown the current Belfast to Dublin rail network links with the greenway route along the former Newry Canal, leaving an Armagh to Portadown Greenway in prime position to reap an active travel tourism boost.
ROUTE DETAILS
| Length | 15 kilometres |
| Estimate | £2.3 million |
| Timescale | 2026 to 2040 |
| Type | Former railway |
| Title | Great Northern Railway |
| Border area | No |
| Councils | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
IMAGES
PROGRESS UPDATES
Idea stage
Feasibility
Construction
Completed
June 2016: ABCBC applies to Stage 1 of the DfI Small Grants Programme for Greenways competition
November 2016: ABCBC secures DfI £8,000 grant funding for a feasibility study on “Portadown – Caledon (via Armagh) Greenway”
August 2017: “Portadown – Caledon (via Armagh) Greenway” misses cut for DfI £25,000 grant funding
August 2018: £25,000 funding announced for “Portadown – Caledon (via Armagh) Greenway” detailed design study
February 2019: ABCBC seeks views on proposed greenways
RESOURCES ELSEWHERE
Frustrated bus commuters want Armagh rail link reopened (Belfast Telegraph)
Campaign to reopen Armagh to Portadown rail link set to intensify (Armaghi)
Lack of rail link depriving Armagh of large number of visitors (The Irish News)
Great Northern Railway Ireland (Wikipedia)
Exercise Explore Enjoy: A Strategic Plan for Greenways (Department for Infrastructure) PDF 2.8MB
Strategic Plan for Greenways Base Report (AECOM, Sustrans, DfI) PDF 15.7MB
GREENWAY PROJECTS WHICH INTERSECT
A 57km route through counties Armagh, Monaghan and Louth linking Armagh City with Keady, Castleblayney and Dundalk.
A 26km route from Armagh through Killylea, Tynan, Caledon and Glaslough on the way to Monaghan town.
A 33km intercity route from Armagh to Newry through Markethill and the mile-long Lissummon Tunnel.
Ireland’s best dedicated urban active travel network, the Black Paths link the towns of Portadown, Craigavon and Lurgan.
A 29km towpath along the disused Newry Canal from Portadown through Scarva and Poyntzpass into Newry City.
PORTADOWN TO DUNGANNON GREENWAY
A 25km route starting up the ‘Derry Road’ from the existing railway station at Portadown across the Blackwater and into Dungannon.
GET INVOLVED
Successful greenway projects are driven by the passion of local people. If you have an update to share, a story to tell about the history of the route or future of the Armagh to Portadown Greenway, or if you want to submit a picture or video to this page, please get in contact.