Issue 206 - BT22 ⢠BT23
Comber Greenway lights are live!
A pilot lighting scheme along the urban section of the Comber Greenway went live recently.
(L-R) Stephen Reid (Chief Executive of Ards and North Down Borough Council); Luke Carson (Master coach); Rhys McClenaghan; Lady Mary Peters and Councillor Karen Douglas (Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council)
Celebration event for local gymnast Rhys McClenaghan
Mayor hosts celebration event for local gymnast Rhys McClenaghan following success at European Gymnastics Championships in Turkey The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas has hosted a special celebration event at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex in Newtownards, for world champion gymnast, Rhys McClenaghan. The athlete from Newtownards added the European pommel horse crown to his world title, after securing gold for the second time at the
European Gymnastics World Championships in Antalya, Turkey last month. Rhysâ family and friends were joined by familiar sporting faces such as Lady Mary Peters and Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes for the event, as well as local children from Regent House School in Newtownards. Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas said:
âI am delighted to host this celebration event for Rhys McClenaghan today. The sacrifices Rhys has made to get him to this point in his gymnastics career cannot be underestimated. His continued hard work and dedication to the sport he loves is incredibly inspiring. âRhys is an exceptional role model for our younger generations and itâs great to see so many school children
join us here today. These young people are witnessing first hand that with hard work, and perseverance anything is possible, and their sporting dreams can too, become a reality. âI continue to wish Rhys every success in his sporting career and will continue to follow his achievements with keen interest. Rhys is a great ambassador for our Borough and beyond.â
F o l l o w i n g consultation and engagement with local residents, the new lights between Beersbridge Road and Billy Neill Halt have been programmed to operate during hours of darkness up to 10.30pm and after 6.00am. As well as providing a safer space for those who wish to walk, wheel or cycle all year round, the scheme has been designed with the local environment in mind. The design uses
a red light spectrum to minimise disturbance to bat colonies, while back louvres on the light heads and shorter columns will minimise light spill into the hedgerows to shield wildlife and diminish light pollution into adjoining properties. The pilot will be reviewed by the Department after two years and and will help form a decision on whether the scheme should be extended elsewhere.