Ritchie visits regeneration schemes in Derry

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today visited Derry, to see at first hand progress on the Victoria Road and Waterloo Place/Guildhall Square public realm schemes.

Margaret Ritchie said: “I am impressed with the quality of the schemes I have seen today and the progress that is being made. I have seen work of the highest quality at a key gateway to the city and in the City Centre. This is only possible with the cooperation of a wide range of agencies and requires commitment to delivering real change in Derry. No one should doubt the commitment of my Department to the wellbeing of our second City.

“When completed, the schemes will help create high quality public spaces that will attract people into the city. Good urban design creates better shared public spaces that serve all the community, providing places to meet, relax and do business.”

During her visit, the Minister accepted a Civil Engineering Environment Quality Assessment (CEEQUAL) award for design excellence for the City Centre public realm scheme. Construction work, which commenced in March 2009, is well underway and the project is scheduled for completion in May/June 2010.

The £420,000 Victoria Road public realm scheme is on target for completion in February/March 2010 with some 70-80 metres of the new high quality wall already built.

Notes to editors:

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