National Cycle Route 9
{{Short description|Cycle route between Belfast and Newry in Northern Ireland, with plans for Dublin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox cycling path
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| website = {{official|https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-9/}}
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{{NCR Lead|9|Belfast|Dublin}} It is the lowest-numbered route on the National Cycle Network outside of Great Britain.
Route
The route will eventually connect Belfast and Dublin. The route is currently signposted between the Queen Elizabeth Bridge in Belfast Newry. The portion south of Newry past Slieve Gullion was scrapped on safety grounds in 2020.
=Belfast to Newry=
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
File:National Cycle Network milepost, Belfast (geograph 2307098).jpg
File:The Lagan towpath (3) - geograph.org.uk - 637092.jpg
File:Millennium milepost near Drumbeg - geograph.org.uk - 840329.jpg, County Down]]
Belfast | Lisburn | Craigavon | Portadown | Newry
NCR 9 begins at the west side of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, where it connects with National cycle routes 93 and 99. It runs south along the River Lagan to the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn. After leaving Lisburn it runs west, roughly following the M1 motorway to Portadown. In Portadown NCR 9 links with National Cycle Route 94.
At Portadown the route heads south down the Newry Canal Towpath. Approximately 4.5 km (2.8 miles) down the towpath the route links with National Cycle Route 91 and Regional Route 10. At Scarva station there is a second link with another branch of National Cycle Route 91. From Newry it passes through Camlough to the base of Slieve Gullion.
The Belfast to Lisburn section is a slow and winding route along a path that is suitable for road bikes. It makes an ideal cycle for young and old, and since bicycles can be taken on trains running on the adjacent railway line, you can choose the length of your route easily. The easiest route if taking your bicycle by train is going to Newry railway station then cycling to Portadown railway station, therefore avoiding going up a steep hill from Newry city centre to Newry railway station.
=Newry to Dublin=
Newry | Dundalk | Drogheda Dublin
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}
Work is underway in Dublin on the 1.4km Liffey-Tolka Project (1.4km),{{cite web |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-port-cycleway-5263068-Nov2020/ |title=Dublin Port appoints architects to build cycleway and pathway to city centre |author=Gráinne Ní Aodha |date=11 November 2020 |website=TheJournal.ie |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318030026/https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-port-cycleway-5263068-Nov2020/ |url-status=live }} linking the city centre with the planned 3.2km Tolka Estuary Greenway via Dublin Port, and the Fingal Coastal Way, a 32km walking and cycling route in Fingal that will run through Newbridge Demesne, Donabate, Rush, Loughshinny, Skerries and Balbriggan.{{cite web |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/greenways-ireland-5164123-Jul2020/ |title=Funding for greenways across 20 counties announced |author=Rónán Duffy |date=20 July 2020 |website=TheJournal.ie |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=29 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329030818/https://www.thejournal.ie/greenways-ireland-5164123-Jul2020/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/fingal-coastal-way-route-option-consultation-coming-soon |title=Fingal Coastal Way: Route option consultation coming soon |date=9 February 2021 |website=Dublin Cycling Campaign |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302111952/https://www.dublincycling.com/cycling/fingal-coastal-way-route-option-consultation-coming-soon |url-status=live }} As of April 2021, there had been no announcements regarding the connecting segments in counties Meath and Louth.
In Dublin Docklands the route with link with the Royal Canal Greenway and EuroVelo 2, and will connect with the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network.
References
{{Reflist|20em}}
External links
{{commons category|National Cycle Network route 9}}
- [http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=7085 Lagan and Lough Cycle Way]
- [http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1100106443281 Sustrans Lagan and Lough Cycle Way]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:National Cycle Route 09}}
Category:National Cycle Routes
Category:Cycleways in Northern Ireland
Category:Transport in Dublin (city)