Minister gives go-ahead to family cycling projects
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28 July 2005
150/05
The development of new family cycling trails at Castlewellan Forest Park, Gosford Forest Park and Castlearchdale Forest has been announced.
Making the announcement, Jeff Rooker, Minister responsible for Forestry, said: “The Forest Service is at an advanced stage of agreeing contracts with the Countryside Access and Activities Network, and expects construction work on these trails to begin in September. These trails will improve the forest visitor experience at these locations. Northern Ireland’s forests need to be fully utilised for recreation and to provide value for taxpayers money.”
The Minister reaffirmed the commitment to widening still further the use of forests for other recreational activities. However, he responded to concerns that the Forest Service had resisted attempts to create mountain bike trails in Northern Ireland, by warning that any such proposal must be carefully worked through.
He said: “The Forest Service remains committed to finding solutions that would allow wider use of forests for cycling and other types of recreation. However, in terms of mountain bike trails, the responsibility lies with cycle trail promoters to establish that their proposals are practical and affordable. The significant difficulties with the existing proposals for funding cross-country and downhill trails cannot be resolved in the time available to the potential funding bodies.”
Notes to Editors
1. Mountain bike trails exist at Gortin Glen Forest and Moneyscalp Forest (beside Tollymore Forest Park), construction and management of a trail by a cycling group at Belvoir Park Forest is underway, and Forest Service recently facilitated development by Sustrans and Derry City Council of a trail through Learmount Forest.
2. Development of a trail at Florencecourt Forest Park with Sustrans and Fermanagh District Council is in progress.
3. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office Tel: 028 9052 4619.
