Clarke welcomes new £1.9m mountain bike trail
Alliance Newcastle Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the commencement of construction work which has now started on the £1.9 million development of purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Mournes.
This 45km development of sustainable mountain bike trails, due to open to the public next spring, will wind through both Castlewellan Forest Park and Kilbroney Forest Park in Rostrevor and is set to realise Northern Ireland’s potential as one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations.
Clarke, who attended the launch of the Mourne Mountain Bike Trials project at Castlewellan Forest Park, has described the 1.9 million pounds investment as a catalyst for increased tourism potential within the Mournes area, Castlewellan and the mountain bike sport.
Speaking to Newry Times, Clarke stated:
“The huge financial investment by Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Down District Council, Newry & Mourne District Council and Sport NI is great for tourism in the Mournes, Castlewellan and South Down. The new 1.9 million pounds Mountain Bike Trail project being now constructed in the Mournes and Castlewellan will be a major boost for the ever growing sport of mountain biking.”
“Once the new Mournes Bike Trails are completed there is the very strong possibility of the world championships being scheduled for South Down.”
He continued, “The mountain biking events such as next summer’s World Police and Fire Games and the European Single Speed Championships, recently being confirmed for Castlewellan Forest Park in 2014 will be good for the local business and the hospitality economy.”
“Finally I welcome the major capital investment into the Mournes Bike Trails in the Mournes, Castlewellan and for tourism in South Down,” Clarke added.
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