Strabane Joins Lifford In Border Development

Plans to regenerate the riverside area of two border towns have received a €1m funding boost.

The 'Reconciliation Through the Riverine Project' aims to totally transform the border area around Strabane, Co Tyrone and across the border in Lifford, Co Donegal and is now one step closer following the funding announcement.

An iconic shared space will be developed and will include feature such as tree lined boulevard, meeting spaces, public art, interactive play areas and a leafed arched walkway along the old railway track.

It will also incorporate river promenades, an eco park, a network of pedestrian cycle links, boat-launching areas, connecting bridges and shared spaces over the river as well as a native wetland area.

The project has received a letter of offer for the sum of €1,004,887.50 from the International Fund for Ireland, which, according to the website www.unearthore.com this was further good news for the Riverine Project as the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) Peace III funding application has also been progressed to Economic Appraisal stage.

Meanwhile, separate plans to redevelop Strabane's canal could be underway within months, following the announcement that over £400,000 has now been secured for the project.

Plans were revealed to redevelop the long dormant site into a walking, canoeing and coarse fishing tourist attraction.

Strabane Council has applied for a total of £2m to take the project forward and it has now confirmed that £408,000 has also been secured.

The cash will now be used to develop canoe access, access ramps, public toilets and car parking at the facility.

(BMcC/GK)