Belfast City Council
Biodiversity OfficerOrla Maguire
Contact Details
Parks and Leisure Department, Belfast City Council, Adelaide Exchange, 24-26 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GD
Tel: 028 9032 0202 Ext. 6652
E-Mail: biodiversity@belfastcity.gov.uk
Connswater Community Greenway
The Connswater Community Greenway will create a 9km linear park through East Belfast, following the course of the Connswater, Knock and Loop Rivers, connecting existing parks and open spaces from the Castlereagh Hills to Belfast Lough. The project also aims to improve the Connswater River.
Biodiversity enhancements will include the creation of semi natural habitats such as species rich grassland, invasive species control and woodland management. River enhancement works will include the creation of in channel features through wood deflectors and channel narrowing. Removal of bank revetments and naturalisation of the river banks will be undertaken in parts.
Following widespread flooding, in 2007 and 2008 the Rivers Agency has been investigating potential solutions to reduce flood risk from the Loop, Knock and Connswater rivers. Flood Alleviation proposals are being integrated into the project and will include the creation of wetland area and flood storage within Orangefield Park which has additional benefits for biodiversity.
The Connswater Community Greenway is a £32 million project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development.