Ritchie announces £175,000 boost for Glencairn improvements

Minister for Social Development, Minister Ritchie MLA has announced £175,000 for an environmental improvement scheme at Glencairn.

The funding will provide 117 semi-mature cherry trees, enclosed with black ironwork guards, to improve the poor aesthetic appearance along the frontages of Forthriver Road.

Margaret Ritchie said: “Regeneration is of crucial importance in this area of Belfast. This project will create a more attractive environment for local residents and will make a significant visual improvement to this busy route.

“I am determined to successfully improve disadvantaged areas so that they become more appealing places in which to live work and invest. That’s why I have already committed to investing £7million to environmental improvements to disadvantaged areas of Belfast.”

The Department for Social Development will work in partnership with Belfast City Council, DRD Roads Service and the local community, to deliver the tree planting scheme at Forthriver Road. It will complement other schemes already completed at Ballygomartin Road and West Circular Road.

Note to editors:

1. The project is located within the Greater Shankill Neighbourhood Renewal Area and within Glencairn Electoral Ward, which are both within the top 10% most deprived areas and wards in Northern Ireland.

2. 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.

3. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

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.

• 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.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.