Ł745,000 Facelift Transforms The Centre Of Coleraine

13 September 2005
Ł745,000 FACELIFT TRANSFORMS THE CENTRE OF COLERAINE
The Diamond in the centre of Coleraine is benefiting from a Ł745,000 makeover.
New natural stone paving, seats and planters are being put in place as part of the scheme which has been supported with Ł670,000 in funding from the Department for Social Development. Ł75,000 has also been provided by the Department for Regional Development towards the costs of new street lighting.
Speaking at an event in Coleraine Town Hall, Social Development Minister David Hanson said: "The scheme is creating a public space worthy of the Diamond and the centre of Coleraine. The quality of the design and the standard of materials and workmanship are a credit to all who have been involved in the project. I am very pleased that the Department for Social Development has been able to provide the funding to make it happen."
Ian Donaghey, Chairman of the Coleraine Town Partnership, thanked the Minister for the Department's funding for the scheme in the Diamond. He also announced the start of a public consultation on proposals for further environmental improvement work to Bridge Street, Church Street and Kingsgate Street in the town.
Mr Donaghey said: "The way a town centre looks and feels is vitally important for its success. We believe that the proposals for the centre of Coleraine will help to create a safe, high quality environment that will be attractive to businesses, shoppers and visitors."
While in Coleraine the Minister described as "tremendously exciting" the opportunities for the future development of Coleraine. He said:
"I believe that the development sites in the town, such as Mall and Abbey Street car parks and the harbour land, present us with very exciting opportunity to set the scheme for the town's growth and prosperity for the next 25 or 50 years." The Minister outlined a set of regeneration objectives for the town that have been drawn up by his Department which included preserve the unique character of the town and resolving the shortage of parking spaces in the town centre.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Work on Phase 1 of the environmental improvements in the Diamond started in the spring of 2004. Phases 2, 3 and 4 were started in April 2005 and completed in July. Work on Phase 5 started in August and is scheduled to be completed by 4 November 2005.
2. Work on Phase 5 of the scheme has been undertaken at night to minimise the disruption to the businesses located on The Diamond.
3. The costs of the proposed work to Bridge Street, Church Street and Kingsgate Street is estimated at approximately Ł750,000. If funding for the scheme is secured, it could begin in April 2007 and be completed within 12 months.
4. The regeneration objectives for Coleraine announced by the Minister are:

To preserve, reinforce and enhance the three main elements which give Coleraine town centre its unique character: The frontage of the River Bann; The Diamond; and the historic streetscape of the town

To resolve the parking and congestion problems in Coleraine town centre.

To strengthen the retail offer in Coleraine town centre and to improve its viability and vitality.

To introduce non-retail activities to the town centre.

To enhance the public realm and promote high quality design in Coleraine town centre.

To reinforce communities and encourage integration.

To promote and facilitate deliverable and commercially successful development schemes in Coleraine town centre.

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