A SMALL SECTION OF THE LAGAN TOWPATH FROM ALBERT BRIDGE TO CROMAC PLACE
To the best of my knowledge the area in my photographs is known as Mays Meadow. No longer a meadow where cattle were kept before sale at the nearby market, May’s Meadow runs from the Laganbank Road to East Bridge Street via a tunnel. Mays Meadow is best described as being close to Central station now knowns as Lanyon Place Railway Station.
The first time I visited this area a middle-aged man offered to photograph me using my camera and got really annoyed when I said that my camera was not insured if I allowed a third party to use it. He said “go back to New York you big fat yank” and as a matter of interest this is not the only time that I was advised to go back home to the USA. About fifteen minutes later I was approached by two police officers advising me that my camera was in danger of been stolen.
In the past I have mentioned that I found many cyclists, using the walkway, to be aggressive to pedestrians but one thing that I did notice this visit was that there were fewer cyclists. Also there were very few e-scooters or e-bikes in Belfast [Dublin is overloaded with them]. I came across the following online “We have recently become aware that the “EAPC” (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle) regulations which exempt electric bikes from being treated as motorbikes in most of the UK do not apply in Northern Ireland.”
From Belfast the towpath can be accessed from Lockview Road, Stranmillis. The roundabout at Stranmillis College is signed for Lagan Valley Regional Park, parking is available on the left at the bottom of Lockview Road next to the boat clubs and tennis courts. Alight from 8A Metro bus at Stranmillis College or approx 1 mile walk from Central Station along Laganside to Stranmillis.
From Lisburn the towpath at Union Locks can be accessed from Blaris Road, off Hillsborough Road which is near the M1 Sprucefield turn-off. The Hillsborough Road is on a number of bus routes in and out of Lisburn and the train can be used as a link to Belfast from Lisburn. Lisburn Station is at the bottom of Station Road.
Refreshments at Stranmillis; Cutters river grill and bar. Toilet and café facilities at Lock Keepers Cottage. Restaurant at Ramada Hotel, access from laneway opposite Lock Keepers Cottage. Refreshments and toilet facilities at Malone House, set in Barnetts Demesne above Shaws Bridge. Toilet and cafe facilities in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, follow paths from Drumbridge. Restaurant and toilet facilities at Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn.
