Swords Cllr. Joe Newman (Ind.) said today that he was most pleased the local authority has taken heed of a motion that he submitted to the 2017 – 2023 development plan and have included it in the Ward River Regional Park Development Project. Newman’s motion was to ensure that any bridge over the valley between. Highfield and Brookdale should be for sustainable mode of transport. The Councillor says the local authority has now proposed a natural looking wooden/steel bridge “through the trees” that will facilitate cycling and walking across the valley at this location and no doubt have benefits for accessibility to schools and provide active travel which will remove a lot of cars from the roads. Also, work is to start immediately on stabilising the beautiful Arch bridge which will be followed on by works to preserve the water Cascades in the Brackenstown side of the valley. Newman says, the combination of the recreational hubs will be a tremendous asset for all the communities of Swords. Cllr. Newman, a resident of River Valley has been fastidious in his efforts to maintain and protect the great recreational asset of the Ward River valley for the people of Swords and surrounding areas. He has pledged to fight off any efforts to rezone land that will be counter -productive to developing this regional park for recreational purposes. Newman has praised Mr. Halpenny and his team at the parks department for their vision for the sustainable development the greenbelt and parks.