Ritchie welcomes completion of £1.1million upgrade

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today officially announced the completion of works to transform the Newmarket and Linenhall Street area of Derry.

The £1.1million project undertaken by the Department for Social Development comprises the installation of a public art piece depicting the history of the area, landscaping together with the installation of new lighting and street furniture, improvements to the roadway and upgrading of footpaths. It also includes construction of a decorative wall outside the Richmond Centre and the installation of high quality steps between Newmarket Street and the Richmond Centre.

The minister said: “This is more good news for the people of Derry City. The completion of this work has significantly enhanced the Newmarket and Linenhall Street areas. It is an example of how good urban design can maximise the potential of public space. Not only will it improve the appearance of the area but will also help it to function more efficiently, and attract a greater flow of people through one of the busiest locations in the city.

“I would like to thank the contractor, and all involved for their work. I am sure that the project’s city centre location presented many difficult challenges.”

The minister continued: “The new ceramic art on Newmarket Street will create a strong focus for the area and confirm its importance as key public space within the city centre. The artwork, by the commissioned artist Eleanor Wheeler, is a depiction of the history of this part of the City. It celebrates its past as a market space and its present as an area for entertainment with the Playhouse theatre and former Rialto cinema. Good public art adds interest and focus to our streets and can contribute to positive memories of Derry for visitors and local people.”

The artist Eleanor Wheeler said: “There is a lot of good public art around celebrating and marking the identity and diversity of communities and places. My approach has always been to mark the place - it's like that well worn phrase, turning spaces into places. Certainly a lot of the stuff that I do is to try and determine what has been in a place previously and celebrate that; drawing people's attention to what has gone on before - preferably the quirky, personal details that exist on a human scale."

Notes to editors

The Newmarket Street/Linenhall Street public realm scheme was brought forward by the Department for Social Development’s North West Development Office.

The scheme was designed by Mouncey Westbury Associates, in conjunction with DFP Construction Service’s landscape architects.

Construction work was carried out by FP McCann, Magherafelt.

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