13/09/2013

£450k Public Realm Project For Banbridge

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Banbridge to view the completion of the public realm works in Rathfriland Street.

The Rathfriland Street Public Realm scheme is aimed to enhance a busy commercial area which links to the refurbished Solitude Park.

The project includes new granite footpaths, kerbs, lighting and enhanced parking.

During a tour of the works, the Minister said: "Banbridge is an excellent example of the difference public realm projects can make to our local towns. The completion of the Rathfriland Street project has given new life to a very busy commercial area in the town to the benefit of everyone who works or shops here.

"Last month the Northern Ireland Executive through my Department also provided funding of £170,000 for revitalisation initiatives for Banbridge town centre. Together these two valuable investments in Banbridge will hopefully attract new business and investment to the area.

"Such schemes help build up confidence amongst local retailers and re-energise the future prospects of our town centres."

Banbridge District Council’s Director of Leisure and Development, Catriona Regan, added: "The work which has been carried out in Rathfriland Street has made a huge difference to the area and is a benefit to the whole of Banbridge Town Centre. Since its completion, we have received very positive feedback from the businesses that trade in the street and the wider public who visit the town to shop.

"The scheme which was identified within the Banbridge Development Strategy is part of the ongoing plan for town centre improvement and the Council is very pleased that the next phase of works under the Banbridge Revitalisation project have commenced. We are pleased that the Department for Social Development is continuing to work with the Council to bring forward new projects identified within the Development Strategy."

(JP/CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 November 2024
Man Dies After Bus Fall In Belfast
Detectives are investigating the death of an 80-year-old man who fell from a bus in Belfast. Police have said that they believe the man was travelling on a 2J Translink Metro bus service at around 11:15am on Friday, 08 November, when he suffered a fall as the bus travelled along Royal Avenue, near it's junction with North Street.
04 December 2003
Power cuts blackout parts of NI
Thousands of homes and businesses across Northern Ireland have been hit by a major power shortage. NIE said that both Kilroot and Ballylumford power stations were experiencing operational difficulties and that the problem could last for several hours as generation capacity was severely reduced.
19 November 2024
BCC Launches Public Consultation On £100m Belfast Stories Project
Belfast City Council has today launched a public consultation on the ambitious £100 million Belfast Stories project. The initiative aims to transform the former Bank of Ireland building and surrounding site into a major public space, visitor attraction, and creative hub.
09 June 2021
19-Year-Old Dies In Collision In Banbridge
Police have issued an appeal for information following a fatal collision in Banbridge, County Down. A 19-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle crash involving a lorry at Foxleigh Fields. The PSNI are investigating the circumstances of the collision and have issued an appeal for anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them.
16 February 2017
Countryside And Farmers Remain Soft Targets For Criminals - UFU
The countryside and farmers remain soft targets for criminals, according to the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU). The UFU said it will continue to push the police to focus more to tackle the issue following the latest statistics from NFU Mutual.