The span of the river Bann at the Bannfoot is around 30 meters. To get to the other side currently involves a trip into Portadown and takes 18 miles. With the current 1000km Greenway Plan out for consultation now is the time to put the last piece of the Loughshore trail in place.

The first recorded crossing at the Bannfoot is 1760 and existed until the hand operated ferry ceased in 1979. It remains the only river on the shoreline of Lough Neagh with no bridge or means of crossing.

Video of crossing from 1960s

This bridge will be transformative for the area, it will provide a safe crossing for walkers and cyclists who currently have to travel through Portadown town centre to cross the river Bann. It will be a symbolic, strategic new link between communities, encourage cycling and walking in the area and attract tourists and more people to visit this beautiful area whilst creating no emissions, noise or negative impact. It’s a time for building bridges and closing divisions.

Read the NIGreenways article on Bridging the Divide.

Please sign the petition if you feel a bridge at the Bannfoot would be beneficial and should be included as part of the new Greenways project in Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon.

Cycul