Funding provides for 'overdue' Belturbet marina upgrade

Minister of State, Minister Fergus O'Dowd, described today's announcement of funding to revamp Belturbet's marina as "overdue". The border town is amongst the towns to benefit from a river project investment of Stg£1.3million. The Joint Council Committee for the North East region, the North East Partnership (NEP), today announced the official launch of its cross-border 'River' project, which will see £1.29 million being invested into five inland waterway improvement and emergency rescue projects along the Lower Bann and River Erne, thanks to support from the European Union's INTERREG IVA Programme. The money will provide for the installation of a replacement jetty; and construction of passing bays along the access roads to the marina. Minister of State, Minister Fergus O'Dowd, said: "Cavan County Council has welcomed the INTERREG IVA Programme funding for the overdue development of its Belturbet Marina. Works will commence soon, which will include a replacement floating jetty, and much needed passing bays along the access road. The river area is of major significance to the town of Belturbet from a tourism perspective, and a stop off point for boats using the Shannon Erne Waterway." The 'River' project brings together Ballymena, Ballymoney, and Coleraine Borough Councils, and Cavan County Council, as well as the Community Rescue Service, whose volunteers literally provide a 'life-saving' service. Welcoming the project, Pat Colgan, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), said, "This is an excellent example of a locally focused regeneration project that will breathe new life into the marine economy, on a cross-border basis. "It will help to develop the local community infrastructure of four separate villages and towns in Portglenone, Ballymoney, Kilrea and Belturbet. Upon completion the RIVER project will enhance the lives of people living within these areas and create new tourism opportunities. In addition, it will also provide equipment to support the volunteers who make up the Community Rescue Service throughout the area."