Belfast's Comber Greenway given international award

14 October 2009 -

Belfast's Comber Greenway has been named as a top cycling and walking path for nature in Northern Ireland.

The route won first prize in the mobility category of the fourth European Greenways Awards.

Judges on the board said that the area had made good links with local communities and the quality of the route was good, leading it to beat off competition from 21 nominations from ten other countries.

Steven Patterson, director of Sustrans for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which owns the route, said: "We are delighted to be receiving it but the Comber Greenway's success would not be possible without the support of our many partners, volunteers and the local community. So we share the award with them all."

The Comber Greenway opened late last year and has seen thousands of people walk or cycle along the route since then.

Fans of nature in Northern Ireland who want to travel along the seven-mile path can download maps and guidance leaflets from the official website, to plan their walk or cycle.