Network of mountain bike trails being explored
Developing a network of mountain bike trails will capitalise on the region’s topography and bring in much-needed tourism investment, members of Cavan County Council heard at the December meeting of the local authority.
The proposal was part of presentation to the local authority by a cross-border local authority led company, comprising councils in the central border area.
The presentation on the Framework of Regional Priorities for the Central Border Region was made to councillors by Shane Campbell, chief executive of the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN).
ICBAN works in the Central Border Region. The eight council members of the partnership are: Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Fermanagh and Omagh, and Mid Ulster.
The partnership has been advocating for solutions to common cross-border problems since 1995. As a predominantly rural area, the region and its communities have been regularly overlooked for investment.
Mr Campbell said there are three key challenges faced by the region: Brexit, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Climate Change.
The framework aims to explore new opportunities based on regional strength for the Central Border Region of Ireland/Northern Ireland. Councillors were told the framework is shaped as part of an overall Spatial Planning Initiative.
The aim is to set out a strategic way forward for the redevelopment of the area. This framework is the region’s response to helping realise the ambitions and hopes of the people in the region.
Supporting economic development, enhancing citizens’ quality of life, enabling greater connected or remote working and the development of the regional tourism offering were all identified by Mr Campbell as key areas of focus for the local authorities of the region.
Developing an international mountain biking region, evolving the existing Greenway and Blueways, focusing on river catchment potential, expanding on the success of the farm to fork initiative and strengthening the local bio-economy were identified by the ICBAN as areas that need to be enhanced in the region.
Mr Campbell said, to achieve the goals, ICBAN will work with local authorities, tap into regional and national expertise, influence investment by government, and identify potential funding opportunities.
Cavan County Council’s elected members agreed to get behind the framework. Cllr Winston Bennett said the region comprised of 850,000 people. He asked Mr Campbell how the local authority could maximise the next tranche of Peace Plus funding for the betterment of Cavan projects.
“Divided it is harder to make your voice heard,” the ICBAN CEO said. “Support is available from both sides of the border. ICBAN works to develop the opportunities provided through the funding available.”
Mr Campbell said €1bn will be spend as part of the Peace Plus initiative. He said this represents significant investment for the border region: “It is vital that a strong case is made to bring as much of those funds as possible to the region.”
Councillors unanimously ratified their participation in the Framework of Regional Priorities for the Central Border Region
.