Greenway Project Achieves Funding Target

• National Lottery
• Living Landmarks

DSD has awarded £3.2million to Connswater Community Greenway Project. Department for Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced a £3.2million funding package to secure the delivery of the Connswater Community Greenway project in East Belfast.

As host of the event to celebrate the project's success in securing the full funding package of £31.4million, Minister Ritchie said:

"I am pleased that we have been able to make a contribution both financially and in terms of technical assistance to this wonderful project. I am proud to be part of a process that has brought so many people together towards a common goal."

The Connswater Community Greenway Project is an ambitious environmental project aimed at delivering a linear park connecting existing green and open spaces from the Castlereagh Hills to Victoria Park in the Belfast Harbour Estate.

The Greenway Project will reconnect the communities of East Belfast and restore the rivers as a living community asset creating some 18kms of accessible parkland for leisure, recreation and community events and activities.

The project was developed by a local community based organisation, East Belfast Partnership, whose vision is to develop a safe, accessible, sustainable greenway which is an inspirational living landmark that improves the quality of life for the people of East Belfast now and for future generations.

The partnership was successful in securing £23.5million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks Programme beating off stiff competition from across the UK to secure one of only three grants awarded under this programme. Funding of £4.7million has also been secured from Belfast City Council.

www.communitygreenway.co.uk