3 December 2003
WARING STREET PAVES THE WAY FOR CATHEDRAL QUARTER
Waring Street, one of the oldest highways in the centre of Belfast is getting a quality makeover to become a fitting gateway to the revitalised Cathedral Quarter.
The bespoke new streetscape - at a cost of £663,000 - comprises Caithness Stone kerbing, enhanced street lighting, tree planting and public art. New road surfaces and footways are being provided to provide an attractive and vibrant environment designed to stimulate further investment into the area.
The Department for Social Development (DSD) and Laganside Corporation are jointly funding the initiative as part of the ongoing regeneration of the historic area.
John Spellar, Minister with responsibility for Social Development, visited the scheme and commented:
"Improving the public realm increases the attractiveness of the City Centre as a place to visit, shop and enjoy leisure time. The improvements in Waring Street will help to transform the gateway to Cathedral Quarter and provide impetus to the wider regeneration that DSD is encouraging in this area and across the City Centre.
"The significance of this scheme is the improvement of the gateway route from Cathedral Quarter through to Laganside leading to increased use by citizens and visitors, particularly after office hours, maximising the potential of Waring Street and the adjacent side streets as a catalyst for renewal of the wider Cathedral Quarter."
Tony Hopkins, Chairman of the Laganside Corporation, added:
"There are significant new exciting developments currently taking place within this area of Cathedral Quarter. Cotton Court, Laganside’s third managed workspace for arts, crafts and cultural groups is now fully occupied, Life Inns have just began building a new bar/restaurant, the Russell Simpson building has been renovated into high quality office accommodation and 18 Hill Street is currently being sensitively restored for office and leisure use.
"This new streetscape project complements the private sector activity, indeed it has been our experience that public sector investment acts as a catalyst to private investment, which together breathe new dynamism into an area."
Media Contacts:
Derek Black, DSD Information Office – 9056 9219
Susie Orr, Laganside – 9032 8507
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