BELFAST TO LISBURN GREENWAY
“Lagan Gateway Greenway”
A dedicated pathway for towing barges along Lagan can be traced back to the mid 18th century as part of the Lagan Canal project linking Belfast with Lisburn and beyond.
The towpath has remained in use long after the canal closed, yet its popularity means opportunities are being sought for upgrade and additional capacity as part of wider regeneration schemes and the potential reopening of the Lagan Canal.
ROUTE DETAILS
| Length | 15 kilometres |
| Estimate | £2.2 million (upgrades and towpath dualling) |
| Timescale | 2018 to 2026 |
| Type | Existing river towpath |
| Title | Lagan Towpath |
| Border area | No |
| Councils | Belfast City Council |
| Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council |
IMAGES
PROGRESS UPDATES
Idea stage
Feasibility
Construction
Completed
January 2014: Belfast City Council publishes “Back to the River: A Feasibility Study for the Lagan Corridor” (PDF 9MB)
June 2016: Belfast City Council applies to Stage 1 of the DfI Small Grants Programme for Greenways competition
November 2016: Belfast City Council misses cut for DfI £8,000 grant funding for a feasibility study
July 2017: Planning permission granted for Lagan Gateway at Stranmillis
November 2017: Construction commences on £4m Lagan Gateway at Stranmillis
September 2020: Mallon announces a £2.8 million package for Greenway projects
November 2020: Council brings a new path of biodiversity to Lisburn
January 2021: Lagan Gateway project due to be completed by Spring 2021
RESOURCES ELSEWHERE
First lock to be built in Belfast in 250 years (Lagan Navigation trust)
Lagan Meadows Local Nature Reserve (Biodiversity NI)
Barnett Demesne MTB Trails and Jump Park (Mountain Bike NI)
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 developing system of urban cycleways to link every part of the city and the surrounding greenway route network.
A community greenway project to provide a traffic-free link between Carryduff and Belfast.
A meandering 26km route from Lisburn through Hillsborough and Dromore’s spectacular viaduct to Banbridge.
Following the route of the Lagan Canal out from Lisburn to Lough Neagh and down towards Lurgan to form a 29km greenway.
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 Belfast to Lisburn Greenway (Lower Lagan Greenway), or if you want to submit a picture or video to this page, please get in contact.