20 September 2006
£500,000 PROJECTS SMOOTH REGENERATION OF KILCOOLEY
Work to improve pavements, steps and the general appearance of Kilcooley is the latest step to regenerate the Bangor estate.
The estate, also in line for a £10million housing redevelopment, is being targeted under the government's Neigbourhood Renewal Strategy. As one of the most deprived parts of Northern Ireland, it will benefit from measures to address the physical decay of the past 35 years.
Social Development Minister David Hanson MP said that the latest projects would make it easier for local people to get about the area, by providing smooth new tarmac pavements with slopes instead of steps in many places. The work is being funded by the Departments of Social and Regional Development. The Minister said:
"These projects will make a real difference to the quality of life of residents who live in the Kilcooley estate. Like people living in all the areas we are targeting for Neighbourhood Renewal, they face complex problems. We will be addressing the physical aspects of this by improving the local access and with a major renovation of housing in the estate.
"Neighbourhood Renewal is the government's long term strategy for tackling deprivation in seriously deprived parts of our towns and cities. The key to the success of these projects in Kilcooley is the co-operation between the Department for Social Development, the Department for Regional Development and the local community.
Chairperson of Kilcooley Community Forum Cecil Wilson said:
"The removal of the flagstones within Kilcooley not only removes a number of potential hazards but also makes the area look far better. We are pleased this work has been extended to enable the entire community to benefit from the new asphalt footways.
"This project once again shows what can be achieved when there is a 'joint approach' to community development. We would like to thank both Departments for the work they are doing in Kilcooley."
DRD Roads Service Section Engineer George Montgomery added:
"Prior to theses project, Roads Service funding allowed only ongoing piecemeal maintenance to be carried out to address serious isolated defects. The partnership permitted a more strategic approach and the benefits in terms of safer and more attractive footways and steps are evident".
Two Neighbourhood Renewal and Environmental Improvement projects have been completed and another is about to commence. The total funding package is for £530,000, of which the DSD contributed £500,000 and the DRD provided Development £30,000.
Click here to print this press release.
