Antrim’s Railway Street to benefit from £100,000 upgrade

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a contribution of £101,000 funding towards a public realm scheme in Railway Street in Antrim town centre.

The scheme will run from High Street to the entrance into Castle Mall Shopping Centre, providing new footways, new street lighting, tree planting and new street furniture.

Margaret Ritchie said: “I welcome this funding for the environmental improvement scheme in Antrim town centre. I visited Antrim recently to see the masterplan options which were open to public consultation and this is encouraging news for the people who regularly shop and visit in this area of the town. It will create a much needed facelift to complement other recent new developments in the area such as the new library nearby."

The Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Adrian Cochrane-Watson welcomed the Minister’s announcement and said: "Antrim Borough Council is committed to the sustainable development of all our towns and villages and this investment by DSD comes at a crucial time for Antrim going forward.

"The improvements to Railway Street should demonstrate to local residents and businesses, Council’s commitment to take the lead and use the Antrim Masterplan as a tool that will make a real and tangible difference. The scheme will bring a welcome boost to local businesses and services located in the town centre and act as a catalyst for further investment and development in the town and I look forward to its completion."

Work on the scheme is expected to commence in early January and will run for approximately three months.

Notes to editors:

1. The total estimated scheme cost of the Railway Street EI scheme is approximately £121,000, with DSD contributing £101,000 and the balance being met by DRD Roads Service and Antrim Borough Council, with contributions of £10,000 each.
2. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office