North Antrim MLA Seán Farren has welcomed moves to reopen the Ulster Canal. Mr Farren says that proposals to reopen the canal were first discussed during the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Now talks are underway between Dublin and Belfast which should see the first steps being taken to have the link between Lough Neagh and the Shannon waterway restored.
Mr Farren said: “An announcement is expected next week from the Ministers with responsibility for waterways in Dublin and Belfast, Éamon O Cuív and David Hanson.
“Restoring the canal will be widely welcomed in the areas through which the canal will flow again. Restoration will lead to increased tourist and recreational traffic not only along the canal itself but in Lough Neagh and along the whole of the Bann system.
“Towns like Portglenone, Kilrea and Coleraine will also benefit as traffic moving North and South along the Bann to and from the canal increases.
“The expected announcement is really good news for many interests, boating and fishing interests, hotels and other businesses serving the tourist industry in these areas.
Mr Farren also said that the SDLP which has long campaigned for the canal’s restoration is to host a special one-day conference on realising the tourism potential of the Bann waterway. The conference will be held on April 21st in Coleraine and details will be announced later. Meantime enquiries should be directed to either Sean Farren’s or John Dallat’s constituency offices – 20761210 or 29541880.