BY ROSETTA DONNELLY

THERE has been a resounding welcome for Omagh District Council's bid to establish a walk and cycle way through former British Army land along the River Strule.

Anglers, cyclists, residents and the business community have been quick to welcome the 3.4km route plan as a fabulous opportunity to improve Omagh and ease traffic congestion.

The council has submitted an application to the Sustrans Connect2 programme for the development of a new combined walkway and cycle path with three more foot bridges.

The proposed path will run between Abbey Bridge, through the Ministry of Defence lands straddling Lisanelly and St Lucia Barracks, and emerge at the new proposed Strathroy Link Road at the Derry Road Roundabout, a distance of just over 3.4km (2.2 miles). It will join the walkway/cyclepath between Bells Bridge and Abbey Bridge which is now being developed as part of the new Strule Arts Centre project.

Council chief executive Danny McSorley said the inclusion of several footbridge crossings of the river and strategically located access routes along the length of the walkway and cyclepath ensures that this project has tremendous potential to join communities together across the town, linking them to schools, places of employment, shopping, leisure and health care locations.

"If the project comes to fruition the river corridor can become a thoroughfare for the town of Omagh, rather than a barrier as it is at present. It will reduce the need for vehicle journeys and, by breaking down barriers, will really connect people.

"The development of a walkway and cyclepath to focus on the amenity of the river running through the town is yet another important piece of the jigsaw of the regeneration and development of Omagh. New developments such as the Showgrounds and Great Northern Retail Parks, and the building of the Community House and the new Omagh College, as well as the new Strule Arts Centre and the office build on the site of the old Town Hall, have changed and modernised the landscape of the town.

Mr McSorley went on, "The Environmental Improvement Scheme in the town centre, which was completed in November 2006 at a cost of £1.7 million, has made Omagh an attractive place to shop, work or relax, and the revitalisation and development of the riverside area connecting it to the town centre would be a major asset in creating an ambience of a modern, vibrant town centre."

The application to the Sustrans Connect2 Programme will be subject to a shortlisting process which will be announced later this month. The select list of Sustrans projects from across Britain will form part of a large scale application which Sustrans will make to the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks. Sustrans hopes to have the overall project included in the public vote for the Big Lottery: The People's Millions later this year.

For the people of Strathroy and the northern side of Omagh the news is particularly good and will hopefully pave the way for the new road connecting the Gortin Road and the Derry Road.

Mickey Kelly, Urban Community Support Officer in Strathroy, said he has been on the committee working on this walkway project and he is deligted that it has been eventually submitted for funding.

"For years the people of Strathroy have felt isolated because of the Lisanelly Barracks. It was a huge physical barrier.

"Trips to school in the town or cinema on the Drumquin Road became long journeys rather than the short trips they should have been."

Mr Kelly said there have been a lot of new developments on the Gortin Road such as Shergrim Glen and near Lisanelly. "The Gortin Road is increasingly under pressure in terms of traffic and short of going across the road near the stone bridge there is no other way to get to the west side of town."

The extension of the walk and cycleway has been something for which Omagh Chamber of Commerce has been lobbying. President Mary McCartan said she was delighted that the application had gone in. "The opening of the riverside to walk and cycleways will open up the town for shoppers, schoolchildren, commuters and hopefully lead to a reversing of trade from the traditional high street to the riverbank.

"I feel certain businesses along the High Street and Market Street will take the opportunity of switching their businesses to the riverbank. I would like to see something similar to Sligo where they have made the river the focal point of the town rather than the backstreet".

Omagh Ånglers Association chief Bobby Rodgers has also welcomed the move saying that anything that improves the riverbank can only be welcomed. "The riverbank is an asset to any town but in Omagh it has not been taken full advantage of and that is a pity.

"We would have no objection to it as it will not interfere with the sport of fishing, in fact it might bring more people into it".

Mr Rodgers said the presence of walkers would deter poachers which is the bane of the life of local fishermen. "When our members are out and they see poachers they will report them and action can be taken and this is another way in which they can be detected."

The local cycling group has also welcomed the move to extend the routes saying it will make their hobby easier. Margaret Curran of Omagh Wheelers said, "It can be very hazardous on roads at present and we have to be very careful when out an about on bikes.

"There are some cycle paths in Omagh but they are not long enough and we have to go on to the roads to complete the journey.

"We are delighted at this news and hope the application is successful," said Ms Curran.