Mountain biking projects in Fermanagh are under threat as the Department of the Environment (DoE) begins to implement budget cuts.
Potentially lucrative tourism projects such as a Mountain Bike Centre in Lough Navar Forest and a long Long Distance Mountain Bike Trail in the forests around Belleek and Belcoo are at risk since Outdoor Recreation NI’s (ORNI) annual funding of £120,000 has been slashed by DoE.
ORNI develops, manages and promotes outdoor activities in Northern Ireland. For example, it coordinates an annual weekend of free outdoor activity events called ‘Get Outdoors Weekend’ every September, including activities at the Share centre and Castlearchdale.
Chris Scott is ORNI’s Activity Tourism Manager. Originally from Fermanagh, he tells The Impartial Reporter: “The recently announced DOE budget cuts will have a significant impact on Outdoor Recreation NI’s future ability to deliver outdoor recreation products within Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“ORNI has a strong track record of delivering projects in the area. For example in 2005 ORNI secured £47,000 funding to develop the Lough Erne Canoe Trail which was the first of its kind in Europe. The trail was further enhanced in 2012 when a further £130,000 was secured to develop Trannish Island Bothy on Upper Lough Erne.
“Furthermore, across two phases, ORNI secured over £780,000 to develop Blessingbourne Mountain Bike Trails in Fivemiletown.
“These few projects alone highlights ORNI’s ability to leverage significant external funding beyond our core funding.”
He continues: “The budget cut from DOE means ORNI will have reduced capacity to secure such funding and develop high quality products within the area. For example we are currently in discussion with the local council regarding plans to develop further camping opportunities along the Lough Erne Canoe Trail, the Mountain Bike Strategy for Northern Ireland has identified Lough Navar Forest as a potential National Mountain Bike Centre, the forests between Belcoo and Belleek have been identified as a potential venue for a Long Distance Mountain Bike Trail (the first of its type in Northern Ireland).
“These products would not only generate an economic impact, they would provide opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community and fundamentally for DOE they would provide a proactive way of managing and encouraging responsible use of the countryside. A reduction in our core capacity puts the delivery of such project in jeopardy.”
Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan has blamed the 11 per cent cut (of £12 million) to his department’s budget for cuts to various environmental groups. He told the Assembly’s Environment Committee: “If it was up to me I would not have to make cuts. I care passionately about our environment, the criticism has been quite stinging as I am accused of short-sightedness or not holding our environment in good esteem.
“It pains me to have to bring forward this budget that makes these swingeing cuts, however I have found myself in the position where I have no alternative … but to make cuts and what we are seeing is the outcome of what was always and still is a bad budget.”
He has said that he may be able to redirect money as a result of the voluntary exit scheme and will consider using £1 million from the plastic bag levy to fund some groups.
The Minister has been asked to come back to the Environment Committee in April.
(Source – Impartial Reporter – 06/04/2015)