The Department for Infrastructure has opened a public consultation on route options for the Bellarena to Bishop’s Gate Greenway, a 14-kilometre active travel project linking Bellarena, Magilligan and Downhill in north County Londonderry. The scheme is one of six “Signature Schemes” designated by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins as priority projects for walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure across Northern Ireland.
The consultation follows an earlier engagement event in March 2026 where 93% of respondents backed the overall ambition for a new greenway. Residents now have until 31 October 2026 to review proposed route options and submit their views.
What distinguishes a Signature Scheme
Signature Schemes are priority active travel projects designated by the Infrastructure Minister, with consultants commissioned to progress them through design and consultation phases. The Bellarena to Bishop’s Gate Greenway aims to deliver approximately 14km of active travel infrastructure by 31 December 2030, connecting:
- Bellarena train station and local bus stops
- Magilligan village and surrounding communities
- Downhill and the Bishop’s Gate area near Mussenden Temple
- Key destinations including Benone Beach, Downhill Beach and St Aidan’s Primary School
The project forms part of the Department’s six Signature Active Travel Schemes announced in January 2026, which have a combined length of 40km and an estimated total capital cost of approximately £80 million. The other schemes are: Sydenham Greenway; Maydown to Campsie; Black Paths extension to Portadown railway station; Newry Inner City Greenway; and Coleraine to Portstewart.
According to the Department, the greenway will “facilitate walking, wheeling, and cycling opportunities for a range of purposes such as recreation and leisure in this stunning landscape setting, whilst enhancing the tourism offering of the area by connecting to existing attractions, local amenities and supporting local businesses.”
Minister’s statement
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said:
“This signature scheme for my Department aims to improve opportunities for walking, wheeling and cycling between Bellarena, Magilligan and Downhill.
“Feedback has already been very positive for the scheme and following a public engagement event in March 2026 I was delighted that 93% of respondents supporting the overall ambition of delivering a new greenway.
“My Department has carefully considered that feedback to identify a range of potential route options and we are now seeking views on these options to help inform the selection of a preferred route.”
How to have your say
The consultation runs from 29 September 2026 at 9:00 am until 31 October 2026 at 5:00 pm. Residents can:
- Respond online via the Department’s consultation portal
- Attend a drop-in event at Magilligan Community Centre, 394 Seacoast Road, Bellarena, on Tuesday 29 September between 2pm and 7pm
- Email: activetravel@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
- Telephone: 028 9066 7914
- Post: DfI Active Travel, County Hall, Castlerock Road, Coleraine, BT51 3HS
What the March engagement revealed
The Department’s earlier public engagement in March 2026 attracted strong support, with 93% of respondents backing the greenway ambition. Feedback identified residents’ top priorities for the route:
- Safer walking and cycling routes
- Better links between communities, schools, beaches and rail
- Improved access to local services and visitor destinations
- Accessibility for all users with gentler gradients where possible
- Limiting impacts on the natural environment
- Planning for long-term maintenance
The most popular intended uses were leisure and recreation (35%), tourism and sightseeing (24%), and connections to public transport (22%).
Environmental assessments underway
The Department confirms that ecology field surveys are being conducted to understand potential environmental effects, including Phase 1 habitat surveys, bat, lizard, newt and badger surveys, aquatic habitat and fish surveys, breeding bird surveys, and archaeology walkovers. The project area includes sensitive designations such as Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Special Areas of Conservation, and Ramsar sites.
Unanswered questions
Several significant details remain unclear from the Department’s announcement:
- No specific budget has been allocated to this individual scheme, though the six signature schemes collectively are estimated at £80 million
- No construction timeline has been provided beyond the 2030 completion target
- Land acquisition and landowner impacts have not been addressed
- Traffic management during construction has not been discussed
- The representativeness of the 93% support figure is unknown—the Department has not disclosed how many people responded to the March engagement or the demographic breakdown of respondents
The Department notes that “delivery of the six schemes will be subject to timing of satisfactory completion of all statutory processes and future budget availability”—a caveat that leaves room for delay.
Context: Northern Ireland’s active travel challenge
This consultation arrives against a backdrop of criticism regarding the Department’s delivery of active travel infrastructure. According to BBC reporting from February 2025, Northern Ireland has the lowest per capita spend on active travel compared to the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Under the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, the Department has a legal obligation to spend at least 10% of its annual budget on active travel by 2030—equating to more than £80 million per year. However, the same BBC report indicated the Department was spending approximately £12 million annually, though Minister Kimmins has since announced a commitment of £200 million over the next decade.
Campaign groups have raised concerns about the pace of delivery. The Belfast Cycle Campaign has described progress as “woeful,” while Cycling UK has characterised the Department’s approach as “glacial.” According to the BBC, this is the ninth DfI consultation or strategy on active travel within the past decade.
By contrast, the Republic of Ireland allocated €360 million for active travel and greenways in 2026 alone—demonstrating the scale of investment required to meet climate obligations.
Why this location matters
The Bellarena-Magilligan-Downhill corridor is a relatively remote coastal area with significant tourism potential. The route would connect to Bellarena railway station on the Belfast-Derry line, potentially offering genuine multi-modal travel options in an area where public transport connections are limited. The proximity to Mussenden Temple, Downhill Beach, and Benone Strand—popular visitor destinations—suggests the greenway could serve both local commuting needs and tourism objectives.
However, the rural nature of the route also raises questions about likely usage levels and value for money compared to more densely populated areas with established demand for active travel infrastructure.
Questions for consideration
- How many people responded to the March engagement, and does the 93% support figure reflect broad community representation?
- What specific budget is allocated to this scheme, and what happens if costs exceed projections?
- How will landowners along the proposed routes be affected, and what compensation or consultation mechanisms are in place?
- Given the Department’s track record of delayed delivery, what concrete milestones will hold officials accountable for progress?
- How will the greenway connect with existing and planned public transport services to maximise its utility for non-recreational journeys?
The consultation closes on 31 October 2026. A further consultation on the preferred route is anticipated in early 2027.