29 April 2003
DES BROWNE VISITS ‘NEW LOOK’ GARVAGH
A £470,000 environmental and road improvement project that has transformed the Main Street in the County Derry town of Garvagh was officially opened by Des Browne MP, the Minister with responsibility for Social Development.
Speaking at the ceremony, which took place in the historic Garvagh Community Building and was attended by the Mayor of Coleraine, Olive Church, and local representatives the Minister said: "The very attractive changes to the roadways and appearance of Garvagh have been brought about by a dynamic partnership between local people and several government agencies. They are a fine example of how we are working together to regenerate run-down areas of Northern Ireland.
"The Department for Social Development, for which I have responsibility, has funded a series of environmental improvement schemes like this one to make a positive difference in cities, towns and villages. In this case, we have worked closely with the Department for Regional Development in order to complement its work in reconstructing the road and parking bays."
The environmental improvement scheme, covering the whole of Main Street, is one of several publicly funded initiatives aimed at regenerating the heart of the village. The environmental works, costing £227,000, included paving, street lighting, removal of overhead electricity and telephone cables, new street furniture, trees and landscaping. The Department for Social Development contributed £178,000 and Coleraine Borough Council contributed £20,000. Road and parking improvements carried out by the Department for Regional Development cost £242,000.
The contractor was Kennedy Quarries of Coleraine.
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