Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, today announced the funding by her department to assist in 2 major projects in the Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Area.
The funding includes £30,000 for improvements to roads and street lighting at Newtownkelly and Seagrave Terrace and £60,000 for lighting and pathways at Gortgonis Playing Fields.
Welcoming the commencement of work on site Minister Ritchie said: “I am pleased to support Coalisland Neighbourhood Partnership by awarding funding for these projects which will improve social conditions and the physical environment for local residents. By contributing to these projects my Department is demonstrating its commitment to improving the quality of life for the people who live in Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Area.”
Further funding contributions of £70,000 and £30,000 respectively from Dungannon Council and DRD Roads Service will bring the total value of work being carried out in the region to £190,000. Coalisland Neighbourhood Partnership completed an Action Plan in September 2007 and has to date been awarded around £150,000 for projects from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund.
Most of the housing within the Coalisland Neighbourhood Renewal Area is located at Annagher Road, Dungannon Road, Mourne Avenue, Newtownkelly, Gortgonis Road and Loughview Road.
The Minister pledged her ongoing support to secure continued improvement in these areas. She went on to say: “I am committed to ensuring that residents living in deprived areas have the same life opportunities as the rest of society. I look forward to further assisting members of Coalisland Neighbourhood Partnership with the implementation of their Action Plan to achieve an improved quality of life for residents in this Neighbourhood Renewal Area.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy “People and Place” was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. Its objectives include:
- 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; and
- Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
2. The initiatives which have or are currently being supported include a range of social, educational, physical and community capacity building projects.
3. Media enquiries to 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.
