A unique partnership involving the private sector, central and local government was unveiled in Belfast today to assist the co-ordination of more than £700 million worth of major development work in the city during the next three years.

The aims of the partnership which includes Belfast City Council, the Department for Regional Development, the Department for Social Development and AM Development, are to minimise disruption levels around the city and provide information to the city’s residents, commuters, visitors and the increasing number of tourists about the nature of the work and its progress.

This overall investment will help to promote Belfast and assist the aim of the ‘Belfast Better Believe It’ campaign to attract more visitors and investment to the city.

The projects include:

• AM Development’s £300 million Victoria Square project, which is already underway;
• Department for Regional Development (DRD) Water Service’s £100 million sewerage replacement programme and the Northern Ireland Water mains Project;
• DRD Roads Service’s £125 million investment in roads, including Westlink/M1 (£75 million), M2 widening (£29 million) and £21 million on other capital schemes; and
• Belfast City Council’s work on the main arterial routes into the city, with an investment of up to £30 million.

Commenting on the new partnership, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Ekin, said: “Belfast is getting back on its feet after 30 years of difficult times and we can already see the progress being made across the city.

“I am conscious of the fact that, while all this investment is undoubtedly good news, the city could resemble a building site during the next few years. For that reason, it is vital that we co-ordinate the work to make sure that disruption is minimised and that our residents and tourists understand what is happening.”

Cllr Eakin said the Council was keen to hear from any other organisations planning major investment and development in the city “as we are keen to co-ordinate all major activity happening across the city," he concluded.

(MB/SP)