A new section of greenway called the Whitespots Line will open to the public in early May. The 5.4km shared-use path connects Newtownards and Bangor in Ards and North Down. It cost more than £5.6m to build.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins attended a completion event with Ards and North Down deputy Mayor Vicky Moore. Pupils from West Winds Primary School cycled the route at the event. Project partners, funders, contractors and community representatives also took part.

The Department for Infrastructure provided £2.9m. The UK Department for Transport gave £3.2m through the Levelling Up Fund, including £2.3m for this section. Ards and North Down Borough Council contributed funding.

The path supports walking, wheeling and cycling. It offers a safe, accessible route through natural surroundings.

Work has started on the Scrabo Line section from Newtownards to Comber. This forms the first phase of a route linking Bangor to Ards, Comber and on to the existing greenway to Belfast.

Plans progress for a Bangor to Donaghadee link. The council aims to develop an interconnected greenway network across Ards and North Down.

Deputy Mayor Moore called the project an investment in sustainable travel, community wellbeing and borough connectivity. Minister Kimmins stated that active travel infrastructure aids daily journeys to work, school or leisure. UK Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood described the completion as a milestone for safer active travel.