Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has approved 1,000km of greenways in the region. The news comes as the Minister publishes his Strategic Plan to develop a network of greenway paths across the north of Ireland, including cross border connections. The paths, designed for use by walkers, runners and cyclists, will be traffic free. Many will use disused railways, riverside paths, abandoned canal towpaths or flood embankments. The Minister also confirmed the local councils who have secured funding to support and develop greenway projects in their area, under a small grants competition.