Joey’s hard work pays off on Ballymena-Cullybackey footpath

The much-used path, a favourite with local fitness walkers, was campaigned for over many years by Joe Kyle, who lobbied ceaselessly to see his dream of the walkway brought to fruition.

Mr. Kyle brought MPs, MLAs and local councillors on board in his campaign and it would now seem that all his hard work will be rewarded.

Subject to the acquisition of the necessary land, Roads Service hopes to complete the links up to the sides of the railway within the current financial year. Translink will take forward a scheme, including moving their equipment clear of the footway as soon as the necessary funding, approvals and designs are in place.

Making the announcement, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy added: “This footway will be of great benefit for the local rural community and I want to commend Road Service and NI Railways for their work on this project to provide better access for all.My Department has been working over a number of years on this project which is being delivered on a staged basis.

“The overall aim is to provide a continuous footway link between the village of Cullybackey and Ballymena. I am pleased to announce that Roads Service and NI Railways are set to work together in order to move the existing automatic half barrier controls for the railway crossing south of Cullybackey.

“This will ensure the remaining short footway links on both sides of the level crossing provide appropriate access for pedestrians.”