Comber Greenway

david oldfield on July 4, 2012 @ 20:24

You cannot access the way at point 17 as indicated on the Greenway map
July 2012

Michael vandercruyssen on May 29, 2012 @ 12:02

A poorly thought out cycle path with no markings keeping cyclists and pedestrians apart thus being very dangerous for both parties.

i love the comber green way so much and i am only 10
i am cylceing it again soon because i am doing it to raise money for the royal hopetail for sick children in belfast

caroline on October 9, 2010 @ 18:28

Beautiful place to run and cycle...especially on a lovely autumnal evening ;)

The Comber Greenway is a very popular route which was created by Sustrans. Another route to try which is similar to the Comber Greenway, that was also created by Sustrans, is the Lagan and Lough Cycle Way, this route runs from Whiteabbey through to Belfast and onto Lisburn along the River Lagan and is flat and traffic free.

We were cycling from Strangford to Belfast and just happened upon this route. Lovely quiet route away from traffic, very flat, the only negatives it is getting a bit overgrown in places, and the signage at the Belfast end could be improved, maybe some road markings in addition to the pole stickers. Overall 9 / 10 well done to northern Ireland tourist board.

jo Keating on July 23, 2010 @ 07:18

great space - dog mess everywhere - in need of dog wardens

Brenda Cowden on July 12, 2010 @ 22:38

Didn't cycle but walked along the greenway from Beersbridge Road until Barnetts . We really enjoyed it ,and it was a lovely day, a lovely place and hopefully stays that way.

I've recently started cycling the Comber Greenway on route to Comber, Newtownards, Donaghadee, Groomsport and down the road towards Downpatrick..The only problem I've had are the entrances are not so easy to find if you dont know the areas so a couple of times I've just had to go by road.. The path is execellent, its very wide and bushes and trees are well trimmed down, this helps as it cuts down the amount of insects and pieces of tree you get in your eyes..I've found the path users to be considerate and most will say hello, as I do. I only need to ring the bell as precaution to let people know im about to pass..The path is very clean considering iv not seen any bins..i have seen one bench, though only seen it was there as someone was sitting on it, its partly covered by trees, this soesnt matter to me as i dont have the need to rest here. Overall its a very good route, it would be good if it could be extended.

Harry on June 8, 2010 @ 15:21

Excellent facility. I use it to do the 35 mile cycle Comber-Jordanstown-Comber. I totally agree with previous posts about dog owners not keeping dogs under control. I have had to swerve several times to avoid dogs. I alaways use my bell to warn walkers but the react as if a foghorn has gone off usually by jumping straight into your path. The greenway is there to be used by all so lets all consider each other and enjoy it to the maximum. Keep the buses off!!!

Adrian Hann on May 11, 2010 @ 14:23

Monday10th May 2010
I have used the Comber Greenway on many occasions as it is an easy
path for a walk into Belfast. It is almost perfectly flat and has a hard
smooth bitmac surface which makes walking a pleasure. Having said
that the Greenway is also popular with cyclists and their approach from the
rear is silent. I have been passed by dozens of cyclists most going at
moderate speed, but there is always the racer who shoots past unexpectedly
at high speed which can be frightening.
Only one cyclist had the grace to sound her bell to warn me of her approach
from the rear and she also had the kindness to exchange a friendly
greeting.
I have looked at approaching cycles and very few of them are equipped with
bells, which would be an offence if the cycle was used on a public road.
It is essential that walkers keep to the left side of the Greenway and
allow
cycles room to pass on your right.
It must be pointed out to cyclists that they have a duty of care and should
reduce speed before overtaking pedestrians. Walkers also have a duty
of care both to the cyclists and themselves by walking no more than two
abreast. This will allow cyclists to pass safely. The attitude of cyclists
leaves a lot to be desired as they ignore pedestrians they approach.
Cyclists do not own the Greenway it is to be shared by all.
Dog walkers are very lax about lifting dog poo, and many of those that
take the trouble to lift it then sling the poobag into the nearest
hedge. This makes
sections of the greenway look unsightly and gives those volunteers who tidy
the Greenway an unpleasant task.
Dogs should be kept under control as they can cause havoc if they
suddenly run
into the path of a speeding cyclist. The cycle clubs that use the Greenway
are to be complemented on the orderly way they proceed. It is the
individual
cyclists that are a hazard to other users.
I set off at 10am and headed towards Belfast walking at a reasonably
brisk pace.
The weather was cold and I was inclined to put on my mountain gloves to
keep my fingers warm. I passed a Council sweeping machine cleaning the
Greenway so someone in the Council is making the effort to keep the walk
way
clean.
I reached the Hanwood Business Park and spotted the Cream Coffee Shop
and thought I would stop and have a coffee. Whilst you can see the Coffee
Shop getting to it is another matter, I had to take a diversion of
several hundred
yards to reach it. There is a gate which leads directly to the Coffee
Shop but it
is kept locked. If the owner of the Coffee shop had a key it would
become the ideal
half way point along the Greenway for refreshments. If Stuart the owner
of the Coffee
shop can get a key cut he will open the gate for us if we phone him and
tell him
we are coming. He can cater for 12 to 20 persons and have your order ready
as you arrive. He does a wide range of catering from a scone to a Paddy
Pizza
and caters for the vegetarians as well. I had a bowl of leek and potato
soup
which tasted great and the cost was reasonable. The place was clean and
tidy
with good service. There are several soft seats and plenty of hard
chairs which
is ideal for us in walking kit.
I rejoined the walkway and headed towards Holywood Arches where I passed
the
Lion the witch and the wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia written by
C. S. Lewis.
A classic of children's literature, St Mary’s Comber once gave every
child a copy of
this book when they were Baptised.
I joined the Greenway and followed the signposted path which runs
through a wide
green avenue of grass between Severn Street and Tamar Street leading to
Dee Street.
I crossed the Sydenham bypass and took the Sydenham Road passing the
front of the
Odyessy Arena (Note there is confusion as to the correct spelling of
Odessey)
When I arrived at the river Lagan I turned left and crossed by the
footbridge which
took me close to the Laganside Bus Station. Fortunately the 2pm bus was
in the
Station and I climbed aboard and within moments was heading back towards
Comber.
This is a good easy walk of seven miles to get you started. I did it in
four hours
taking frequent detours to explore the area and stopping for refreshments.
I could easily do it in three hours and if pushed could chop off another
15 or 20 minutes.
Give yourself plenty of time so that on a hot day you do not melt along
the way.
A good pair of walking shoes is advisable but trainers will do if you
like sore feet.

jane conradie on April 29, 2010 @ 22:02

The comber greenway has changed my life, I cycle to and from work every other day and I feel wonderful. Thank you to ALL the folk who planned it, made it happen, built it and maintain it. Its great gliding along on my bike, it puts a smile on my face! Thanks

I use the Greenway regularly for cycling.

I agree with many of the comments. First off, I regularly do have to use my bell on my bike, however, why do walkers persist on walking in a line of 4/5 which takes up the whole path? Preventing an accident is better than a cure. Maybe only take up half of the path?

On dog owners, please can you keep your dogs under control as I've often had to swerve to miss dogs that are off leads which can be unpredictable.

And the worst is that the dogs mess is totally disgusting and is along the whole route. Can you not lift this? I agree more bins are needed, as I now see people putting their dog mess into plastic bags and leaving these bags at the side of the path.

However, most dog owners I have seen do not even lift their dog mess.

Again irresponsible dog owners ruining everyone's fun and getting genuine dog owners a bad name.

Stormont Park and Park-way in Comber ruined too....nice walks and routes ruined by dog foul and dog owners.

And where is the council and dog-wardens? I've never seen one in all the time it’s been opened.

Very nice scenic ride the only thing to let it down is the stoney path from ballybeener to the millmount road otherwise a pleasent afternoon out.

John Finlay on February 7, 2010 @ 12:47

Great traffic free cycle path. Would be such a shame to lose this gem to a bus lane.

I don't cycle, and have walked only a small part of the Greenway, but am very concerned for all who regularly use this "wildlife corridor" because of the threat of a 'bus being put there. The whole peace of this little paradise will be shattered! Think of the noise and fumes - there will be no pleasure in a walk (or cycle) that has traffic alongside. Such a pity that it will be snatched away, just when we have gotten used to this haven!

The whole route is virtually flat, and the surface is smooth tarmac. It makes it easy going and therefore very suitable for a wide range af abilities and fitness levels. It is also very safe. Nice countryside near the Comber end, and Comber town is a pleasant stop with cafes etc. A nice route; well worth doing.

we Walk this route in sections with the Laganvalley Ramblers and the Seymour street Methodist Church ramblers club in Lisburn from the Belfast End at dee Street
but on the 10th October we started from Dundonald and walked to Comber from the East point Leisure Complex the only dissapointment is that there is no direct access to the greenway from the ice bowl and we had to walk another Quarter of a mile to a set of Traffic lights cross a Road and on to the Greenway another problem i Know that it is a Cycleway is the Cyclists that they do not have any Bells or horns to warn People of their Presence when Cycling at speed we have a Number of Pensioners with us and they have to Look over their shoulders at Regular intervals to avoid the bikes above all this is a Very good route and we all made it to comber and went to Mc Brides for Lunch and got the bus Home
the Resturant is Mc Brides of the Square and is well and trul'y Reccomended for a Meal and a Pint or two before attempting the Leg Home

1st time on greenway today sunday 27/9/9. really enjoyed it .. a big thanmk you to dog walkers who held thier dogs as i passed.to those unfriendly cyclists cost nothing to say good morning!!! and to the semi-pro cyclists buy a bell or shout excuse me, some of us are out to enjoy run, 3 times i was over taken by speeding bikes which could have caused an accident. 1 more gripe to those whom it concerns please lift you'r dogs mess.!!!!!!!!!!! still enjoyed the run........

For running particlarly, it'd be great to have distinct distance markers for miles & kilometres. It's difficult to find out my distance ran without a running gadget, which I don't have right now.

This is an excellent cycle path. Much better than the tow path to Lisburn. Jordanstown to Comber and back is a perfect 35 miles on a great surface. There were lots of cyclists and walkers out this morning - Sunday. Certainly very popular. Takes you through parts of Belfast unknown to you unless you lived there. Well done to those who created it and lets hope for lots more like it.

I love this path, great fun to cycle, with no traffic. Beats getting my ma to drive me to my friends house in comber. The only negative, is i cycled two days ago back from comber, late at night when the bonfires were being lit.

The greenway is great...but does anyone know of plans to extend it to newtownards (as there used to be an old railway b/w ards and comber)

I use the cycle track almost every day to go to work in Belfast, it is great to be off the main road, but at the Dundonald end just as you come to the Comber Road kids have built a bonfire and broken glass on the cycle track, I understand this is an ongoing problem but can anything be done to resolve this.

The comber greenway is great for both walking and cycling.

I use the last two miles as part of my cycle commute into Belfast city centre and I just wish that there was a better link between the greenway and the lagan path at the Odyssey as crossing the two roundabouts between Dee Street and Sydenham Road can be fun in rush hour traffic.

I would agree with the previous comments about the need for more bins though as navigating round the dog mess when you have a curious two year old son is not ideal

greenway was is great, but i think there should be more waste bins, and maybe seating areas every half mile for elderly or to take a break

the greenway is great, it allows me to cycle into work in the city centre on a practically traffic free route. It's also somewhere I can take the kids cycling or walking near the house. But I agree with other comments shown that there is a lack of bins for dog mess which can make it pretty disgusting. Sort this and its a perfect antidote to city living!

The greenway is great and its great for walking my dog as she is scared of traffic but my only complaint is that there isn't enough waste bins for dog mess.

The greenway is a fantastic cycle route away from the busy main road. however if i had one complaint it is that there are nowaste bins for rubbish or dog mess alondg the route from dundonald to comber. its a shame to destroy the look of the countryside and i'm fed up cleaning dog mess off my wheels!!! Sort it out!

I think the comber path is great but there is one problem there is only two bins for dog fouling along the whole route and i have noticed that there is alot of plastic bags lying in the hedges and a lot of dog poo on the path is there any one i can contact to get more bins placed