Armagh residents to benefit from Environmental Improvement Scheme: Morrow

Social Development Minister, Lord Morrow MLA, has announced that work on a £24,000 environmental improvement scheme to close off a pedestrian underpass on Friary Road, Armagh is due to start shortly.

The project, which is aimed at improving an area which has, for many years, been prone to anti social behaviour, involves removal of the steps at the Amelia Terrace entry point to the underpass and the installation of a new fenced area. It will complement an alley-gating scheme which was completed last year and which was also financed by the DSD. Design work and contract management is being carried out by Transport NI.

Welcoming the project Minister Morrow said: “I am aware of the problem of anti-social behaviour which has existed in this area for many years and which has been having a major impact on the quality of life for the surrounding residents. This project will contribute significantly to the reduction of the anti-social behaviour and restore confidence and feelings of safety among local residents. The appearance of the area will be vastly improved.”

The Minister acknowledged the role played by the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board, and the Department for Regional Development. He said: “This project which is being financed through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, is another example of how the Department is working in partnership with local statutory and community sector groups, through the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board, to improve the quality of life for local residents.

“To date my Department has invested over £5million on a range of projects and programmes in Armagh to help enhance the physical environment and also improve the health, education and employability of the residents and close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.”

Fiona Kelly, Chair of the Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership also welcomed the news saying: “I grew up in Niall’s Crescent and raised my family there, so I fully understand the impact of anti-social behaviour that was an unfortunate by-product of the tunnel. I am delighted that as a community representative I able to work with all the statutory agencies and the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership to help address the issue.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ was published in June 2003. It 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.
2. For media enquiries please contact the DSD Press Office on028 9082 9494 or email press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. For out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned

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