Ritchie announces start of £2.7million Lurgan public realm works

Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA today welcomed the start of the major regeneration works in Lurgan Town Centre.

Work on the £2.7million public realm scheme for Lurgan will start on 4 January 2010, focusing on Market Street and Church Place.

The scheme will include widening pavements and improving the quality of main civic spaces with the aim of encouraging a café culture and attracting visitors to the town whilst maintaining Lurgan’s unique original character.

Minister Ritchie said: “This is a positive and welcome start to 2010 for the people of Lurgan. It is a great opportunity to regenerate and invigorate the town centre and make it a much more pleasant shopping experience for both residents and visitors. The completed scheme will restore the town centre to standard befitting a modern, contemporary market town and will hopefully improve future trading conditions in the town.

“My Department has invested substantial funding in this scheme and we are working closely with Craigavon Borough Council and DRD Roads Service to complete the work by early autumn 2010. I would like to extend my thanks to the people of Lurgan for their continued cooperation and support.”

Over the past few weeks people will have noticed some ‘trial holes’ being dug on footways to establish service locations in advance of main works. However, as agreed with traders, no work has taken place between 14 December until 4 January 2010.

Chair of the Communications Management Group, set up to oversee the project, and Chair of Development Committee Alderman Sydney Anderson said: “This investment will help Lurgan substantially in a number of ways. Firstly it will bring some local employment within the construction industry and make sure that the town is fit for the 21st century. This is great news for Lurgan and will help contribute to Lurgan’s regeneration and development.

“I would like to thank all the funders and in particular the Department for Social Development for the substantial amount of funding; without which the project would simply not happen. A big thank you also to the Lurgan traders who are working with us to help ensure Lurgan’s future”.

Contractors for the scheme, SIAC NI Ltd, will keep all businesses and residents informed of upcoming works on their street through personal visits to traders, a monthly newsletter and a project hotline on 07590 965524. All calls to this number will be recorded and responded to within 48 hours.

Notes to editors:

1. The project is being overseen by a Communications Management Group with Representatives from Craigavon Borough Council, Lurgan Forward, Translink, Northern Ireland Planning Service, Department for Regional Development Roads Service, Northern Ireland Water, SIAC (NI) Ltd, Lurgan traders and Street representatives.
2. The total funding package of £2.7million consists of £2million from DSD, £600,000 from Craigavon Borough Council and £100,000 from DRD Roads Service.
3. SIAC (NI) Ltd, are part of the larger SIAC Construction Ltd which operates throughout the UK and Ireland. SIAC (NI) Ltd is a local employer based in Newry and undertakes civil engineering and building construction works. The company recently completed the major public realm scheme in Armagh city centre.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.