Minister Ritchie approves over £220,000 to extend current public realm scheme in Coleraine

The Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced £223,000 of additional funding for an extension of the current public realm scheme in Coleraine.

The extra money will allow work to be undertaken in New Row, alongside the work already completed in Church Street and Kingsgate Street in the town.

Minister Ritchie said: “I welcome this announcement for Coleraine today. I want our urban regeneration projects to deliver shared public space, places that people from all communities can access and enjoy and this is another example of that.

"This additional funding now means that a large part of Coleraine’s pedestrianised town centre has benefited from a public realm scheme in the past few years. Coleraine will benefit greatly from this extension of public works as this kind of regeneration makes our towns places which provide opportunities for all, visitors, residents of rural areas and the town dwellers themselves.”

The Minister went on to say: “The inclusion of New Row in this scheme is also significant, as it provides an important linkage between the prime retail frontage in Coleraine Town Centre and the Abbey Street development site.”

The scheme in New Row will involve the replacement of the main pedestrian surface, the replacement of the existing street furniture and the planting of trees. It will also involve the introduction of an integrated lighting initiative with the erection of street lighting columns.

Mayor of Coleraine Councillor David Barbour said: “This announcement is extremely welcome as it is important for both residents and visitors coming to Coleraine town centre to enjoy their shopping experience. The extension of works to New Row ensures our pedestrianised town centre is more user friendly, while attracting families of all ages to shop in the area. It also brings a welcomed boost to local businesses and services located in the town centre, and I look forward to its completion. Once again the council is very grateful to the Department for Social Development (DSD) for their continued support of this scheme.”

Ian Donaghey, Chairman of the Coleraine Town Partnership, said: “Coleraine Town Partnership welcomes this announcement by DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie to extend the refurbishment to New Row. This area of the town centre is establishing a unique independent retail offer and is one of the main access routes to the proposed Abbey Street development. We recognise that it is essential to continue the refurbishment work in preparation for the proposed development schemes at Abbey Street and the Mall to create an environment where people want to come and shop and Coleraine Town Partnership will continue to work with the various agencies to ensure that this happens.”

The total package of £1.3million is made up of just over £1.2million from DSD and also includes a £66,000 contribution from Coleraine Borough Council with Roads Service contributing £25,000.

Notes to Editors:

1. DSD is contributing just over £1.2million towards a £1.3million public realm scheme in the centre of Coleraine. The scheme will be taken forward by Coleraine Borough Council.
2. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.