Minister Ritchie's boost for residents of Downpatrick housing estate

The residents of the Ardmeen Green housing estate in Downpatrick were today celebrating following the Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie’s £20,000 funding boost.

Her announcement signals the commencement of environmental enhancement and road safety improvement works in the area.

The project will be funded through a grant of £18,000 from the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund with the balance of £2,000 provided by DRD Roads Service.

The work, which is scheduled to be completed within the current financial year, involves the provision of lay-bys of sufficient width and length to accommodate the parking requirements of the residents. It will also help to provide an attractive safe site where all can access the estate and its environs without hindrance or fear.

Speaking during a visit to the estate the Minister said: “Ardmeen Green was built in the mid-1950's and the road layout falls short of that which would be required to meet current standards in terms of carriageway width and car parking provision. As a result residents have to park their cars on the road or on the grassed area thus impeding the flow of traffic and damaging the open space.

"This is good news for the residents of this local housing estate in Downpatrick. A safe and accessible route is hugely important and I am delighted to have been able to make the necessary funding available for this much needed project. It will help create a safer environment for children in this estate and ease concerns of parents who have lobbied for this work.”TThe chairperson of the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, Rita Rogan, welcomed the news saying: "I know thischeme will be welcomed by the local residents who have lobbied for many years to have this matter addressed."

Notes to editors

The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out government’s proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

• The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
• Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
• Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
• Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
• Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

The £20,000 Ardmeen Drive scheme will be funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund which is making £18,000 available and DRD Roads Service who is providing £2,000. Roads Service will also manage the project and adopt the lay byes into the public road network upon completion of the scheme.

Media enquiries to Helen Mulholland, DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.