Ulster Canal included in new National Development Plan

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€165 billion infrastructure plan recommits to completing landmark Ulster Canal Project

The completion of all stages of the Ulster Canal Project has been included in the Government's National Development Plan published today.

Minister Heather Humphreys has welcomed the strong commitments contained in the plan to complete the landmark project.

The National Development Plan makes several pledges to completing the Ulster Canal, which has received millions of euro in funding from Minister Humphreys’s Department of Rural and Community Development.

Specifically, the NDP commits to:

'Completion of all Phases of the Ulster Canal restoration project, with support from the Shared Island Fund and other partners, with blueways and greenways extending from Upper Lough Erne to Middletown, delivering a landmark sustainable tourism and recreation amenity for the central border region.'

In April of this year, Minister Humphreys and Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced €12 million in funding for Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal project between Clones and Clonfad.

The Investment was supported jointly by the Government’s Shared Island Fund and the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), which comes under the Minister’s Department of Rural and Community Development.

The Shared Island Fund, established by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, is providing a further €1m for the third phase of the project – linking Clonfad to Castle Saunderson – to undertake the feasibility and pre-construction works for this Phase.

This brings the total Government investment to over €13m for the project.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting today (Monday), Minister Humphreys said she is really pleased that the NDP recommits to progressing all stages of the Ulster Canal.

“The National Development Plan represents a huge investment of €165 billion in infrastructure projects across the country.

“It is welcome news to see the Ulster Canal receive real such a strong mention in the plan itself.

“This demonstrates the level of priority that is being placed on delivering this project from Government.

“It’s also very welcome to see commitments within the plan to the development of greenways and blueways from Upper Lough Erne to Middletown. This sends out a strong signal in terms of delivering a real tourism boost to the border region.”

Minister Humphreys continued:

“Once complete, the Ulster Canal will represent a unique, flagship cross border project, which will bring huge economic benefits to the region.

“It will also act as a permanent symbol of peace and reconciliation on our island – demonstrating the benefits of bringing our communities together.”

The first phase of the Ulster Canal restoration project involved the restoration of a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson near Belturbet. The navigation channel on the River Finn up to Castle Saunderson is now open to waterway users, the channel having been dredged where required.

Approximately 1km downstream of Castle Saunderson, a new navigation bridge has been constructed beside Derrykerrib Bridge, together with a new short lateral canal. Recreational amenities including a new public jetty and moorings at Castle Saunderson have also been completed and will be operational for the 2021 boating season.

The second phase of the project (Clones to Clonfad) focuses on the restoration of the canal between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan, including a canal basin marina and amenity area in Clones incorporating:

· New 40 berth marina (water recreation park) at Clones

· Two new access bridges

· Circa 1km of new canal with paths

· 1.5km looped walking and cycling route along banks of canal

· Slipway

· Refurbishment of masonry arch bridge

· Service block with toilets and showers

· Tourism and Recreation facilities

· Reimagined public realm & amenity area with parking

Phase 3 of the Ulster Canal (Clonfad to Castle Saunderson) is a 10km stretch of the canal, which will link Phases 1 and 2 together. This will complete access from Clones to the River Shannon via Lough Erne and the Shannon-Erne Waterway system thus attracting visiting boats/cruisers and their occupants to Clones from the entire Shannon and Erne network from destinations as far as Limerick.

The engineering feasibility and pre-construction stages for Phase 3 is underway, supported with €1million in funding from the Shared Island Fund.