Redevelopment Of Armagh Moves To Next Stage

18 July 2006
REDEVELOPMENT OF ARMAGH MOVES TO NEXT STAGE

Armagh will benefit from a Ł5.93 million environmental improvement scheme.
It will deliver new street furniture, public art, improved traffic circulation and better facilities for pedestrians.
The scheme, part of the Armagh City Centre Integrated Development Plan, is being implemented by the Department for Social Development's Regional Development Office in partnership with Armagh City & District Council and the Department for Regional Development.
Detailed design of the scheme, including further public consultation, will commence shortly.
Work is expected to start early next year and will take up to three years. This will ensure that the scheme can be implemented in phases and will cause minimal disruption to the life of the city.
It will improve the appearance of the city, making it more attractive to residents, visitors and investors, and integrate the historic landscape with the commercial sector through the creation of four gateways to the city centre. The scheme will also provide better pedestrian facilities and more structured parking arrangements that will improve traffic circulation in the city centre.
Minister for Social Development, David Hanson MP, said: "The Integrated Development Plan was launched in 2004 with the aim of creating a distinctive, vibrant and multi-functional city centre.
"Following a period of consultation with the people of Armagh, the Council and the Roads Service, the scheme being announced today will see major changes to the urban environment of the city, making it more appealing to residents, businesses and tourists alike.
"This major investment of nearly Ł6 million is designed to tackle the problems created by a poor urban environment - debilitated public spaces, traffic jams, tired streets - and to improve the buildings, roads and public spaces within the city centre. Streets will be reopened to traffic, pavements will be refreshed with new paving and furniture and public spaces will be updated with new trees and public art."
Councillor William Irwin, Mayor of Armagh said: "This scheme is a very exciting and welcomed investment for Armagh. The Council would thank all local stakeholders for their contribution to date and look forward to further working in partnership to deliver this project."
NOTES TO EDITORS:

The scheme will involve improvements to Market Square, Upper English Street, Thomas Street, Scotch Street, Ogle Street, Dobbin Street, Dobbin Lane Street, Linenhall Street, McCrum's Court, the West Mall and Russell St. It will see the reopening of some streets to vehicles, upgraded and widened pavements, new street furniture, the planting of trees, and the introduction of new public spaces.

For further information, contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.

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