About
The Comber Greenway between the Holywood Arches and Comber is one of the most popular greenways in Northern Ireland taking users out of the city and into the countryside with safe road crossings and numerous bridges along the route. It wasn't always like this. This route was originally a busy railway line. The Belfast & County Down Railway (BCDR) main line departed from Belfast, Queen's Quay via small stations or halts in the suburbs of Belfast; Ballymacarrett, Fraser Street, Bloomfield, Neill's Hill, Knock and Dundonald towards Comber and onward through many country stations to Newcastle.
The stations at Bloomfield, Neill's Hill and Knock opened as commuter stations to accommodate the rapid housing developments at Orangefield, Ballyhackamore, Sandown Road, Clara Park and Sandhill Gardens areas. Neill's Hill station opened in 1860 and lasted until the closure of the main line in 1950.
It consisted, at times, of a substantial station building, two platforms, level crossing, sand sidings, subway, signal cabin and a public footpath.
Following closure by the government, the double track was lifted in the early 1950s with the building being demolished, subway filled in and level crossing removed in the years following.
Dereliction of the site and the return to nature followed. In the intervening years, there were plans for the line to become the M7 motorway out of Belfast. The 'troubles' stopped all motorway development in and around Belfast. A major sewer was laid along the former line in 2003. The return to 'light rail' or 'bus-way' was considered and fortunately, not developed.
In 2008 the seven mile stretch of the line from the Holywood Arches to Comber was developed into the Comber Greenway thus giving walkers, cyclists, nature lovers a valuable resource.
In 2010, a 'Save Our Heritage' public campaign was started to ensure that the last remaining portion of the UP platform (towards Belfast) was not damaged or removed during any future development in the area. In 2018, the 'Friends of Neill's Hill' group was formed with the aim of clearing the platform of trees, shrubs, undergrowth etc to show the public using the greenway what could be accomplished if undertaken by public authorities. The group acted as lobbyists to support such developments on the greenway of red-spectrum lighting and seating. Although seating has not yet been funded, the station platform is used regularly as a rest area for greenway users.
Book Tickets
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
