Canal Network Reuse

There remains an extensive, though disused, canal network in Northern Ireland feeding into the river and lake system and thus providing potential links to towns, ports, and improved cross-border connections. The success of the Shannon-Erne waterway re-instatement project has illustrated the potential of the old canal system and, following on this success, a number of other canal re-openings are now planned or are in progress. It will be important to assess the network and protect those elements which have a viable re-use for commercial, leisure or tourism purposes.