Menu
29/07/2005
Minister gives go-ahead to family cycling projects
The development of new family cycling trails at Castlewellan Forest Park, Gosford Forest Park and Castlearchdale Forest has been announced.
NIO Minister Jeff Rooker said the trails would improve the forest visitor access across the three locations and said it also reaffirmed a commitment to widening still further the use of forests for other recreational activities.
However, the Minister 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.
"The Forest Service remains committed to finding solutions that would allow wider use of forests for cycling and other types of recreation," the Minister said. "However, in terms of mountain bike trials, 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."
Mountain bike trails exist at Gortin Glen Forest and Moneyscalp Forest (beside Tollymore Forest Park), while construction and management of a trail by a cycling group at Belvoir Park Forest is currently underway.
Development of a trail at Florencecourt Forest Park with Sustrans and Fermanagh District Council is also in progress.
(MB/KMcA)
NIO Minister Jeff Rooker said the trails would improve the forest visitor access across the three locations and said it also reaffirmed a commitment to widening still further the use of forests for other recreational activities.
However, the Minister 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.
"The Forest Service remains committed to finding solutions that would allow wider use of forests for cycling and other types of recreation," the Minister said. "However, in terms of mountain bike trials, 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."
Mountain bike trails exist at Gortin Glen Forest and Moneyscalp Forest (beside Tollymore Forest Park), while construction and management of a trail by a cycling group at Belvoir Park Forest is currently underway.
Development of a trail at Florencecourt Forest Park with Sustrans and Fermanagh District Council is also in progress.
(MB/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 June 2022
Poots Welcomes New Rescue Equipment For Castlewellan Forest Park
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has visited Castlewellan Forest Park to see first-hand some of the new rescue equipment funded under the Rural Community Rescue Scheme.
Poots Welcomes New Rescue Equipment For Castlewellan Forest Park
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has visited Castlewellan Forest Park to see first-hand some of the new rescue equipment funded under the Rural Community Rescue Scheme.
26 August 2021
£5.7m Invested In NI's Forest Parks
The latest in a series of short films to promote Northern Ireland's forest parks during the Centenary Year has been launched by Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots. Five films have been produced to showcase DAERA's £5.
£5.7m Invested In NI's Forest Parks
The latest in a series of short films to promote Northern Ireland's forest parks during the Centenary Year has been launched by Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots. Five films have been produced to showcase DAERA's £5.
03 November 2006
Woman's death 'not suspicious'
Police have revealed that following a post-mortem examination of the body of a woman discovered at a forest park on the outskirts of Belfast yesterday, the circumstances surrounding the death are not believed to be suspicious.
Woman's death 'not suspicious'
Police have revealed that following a post-mortem examination of the body of a woman discovered at a forest park on the outskirts of Belfast yesterday, the circumstances surrounding the death are not believed to be suspicious.
02 November 2006
Woman's body found in Belfast
The body of a woman has been found in south Belfast. It has been reported that the body of a female was discovered in Colinglen Forest Park earlier today. The scene has been cordoned off, however it is not yet known if a crime has been committed.
Woman's body found in Belfast
The body of a woman has been found in south Belfast. It has been reported that the body of a female was discovered in Colinglen Forest Park earlier today. The scene has been cordoned off, however it is not yet known if a crime has been committed.
16 June 2011
Forest Trails To 'Be Closed To Hikers'
Access to the countryside may never be the same again if a proposal from the NI Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) goes ahead.
Forest Trails To 'Be Closed To Hikers'
Access to the countryside may never be the same again if a proposal from the NI Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) goes ahead.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
