Ritchie announces funding boost for Derry’s Cityside

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a funding boost of almost £200,000 for an environmental improvement scheme in Derry.

The project, in partnership with Derry City Council, will help renovate the Jacqueline Way / Nualamont Drive area, including improvements to:

• retaining walls
• damaged steps & paving surfaces and
• steep slopes.

Tree planting and landscaping will also take place as part of the project.

Margaret Ritchie said: “These improvements will benefit those living in the heart of Derry’s Cityside and will make the area more appealing to residents.

“The quality of the environment in which people live is an important factor to their general health and wellbeing. When complete, in some 16 weeks time, this project will promote a safe and more attractive neighbourhood and give local people a greater sense of pride in their area.

“I am pleased that my Department, working in partnership with Derry City Council, has been able to fund this important scheme in the local Neighbourhood Renewal Area.”

Derry’s Mayor, Councillor Paul Fleming also welcomed the project saying that this was an excellent initiative which would benefit the entire community and help restore pride and community ownership among those living in the Jacqueline Way and Nualamont Drive area of the city.

He said: “This is another example of a successful partnership project involving a number of statutory agencies, working together to deliver environmental projects that will benefit the entire region.”

Notes to Editors:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 or 07970 976894. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.