Cookstown celebrates £3.2million public realm improvements
Date published:
Communities Minister Paul Givan has visited Cookstown to mark the completion of significant public realm works in the town centre.
The £3.2million project received financial support of £2.8million from the Department for Communities with £320,000 contributed by Mid Ulster District Council.
Minister Givan said: “The completion of this public realm scheme has transformed Cookstown town centre, creating an attractive environment that will greatly benefit all those who live, work and shop in this key market town. The result is a beautiful and very functional scheme of which we can all be proud.”
The works were carried out in James Street, William Street and adjoining streets, and included new paving, street lighting, railings, seating and planting.
Commenting on the partnership approach to the scheme, Minister Givan added: “I fully recognise the crucial role town centres play in providing a sense of local civic pride and community. This scheme is one of several major public realm projects my Department has supported recently in the Mid Ulster District Council area. Including Dungannon and Magherafelt, a total of £10.2million has been invested locally to enhance these important towns.
“The delivery of this programme of works has only been possible through the effective partnership that exists between my Department and Council. We are already working with Council on future revitalisation work across these three towns. This further investment of £330,000 demonstrates my ongoing commitment to continue to work closely with the Council to maximise the positive impact of these regeneration efforts for the whole area.”
The Minister also congratulated Mid Ulster District Council for its successful delivery of the scheme and thanked RPS Ireland Ltd for the design and project management and FP McCann Ltd who delivered the construction works.
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr. Trevor Wilson said: “I would like to thank the Minister and his Department for the multi-million funding received in 2015 which has allowed a major investment in our main towns of Dungannon, Magherafelt and of course, Cookstown where we can now see the finished results of the scheme. We have, in partnership with the Department enhanced the Cookstown Public Realm making it visually appealing for retailers, businesses, shoppers and residents and this will underpin the on-going regeneration and economic sustainability of not only this historic market town, but the Mid Ulster region as a whole.”
Notes to editors:
1. Construction works on the scheme commenced in October 2015 and successfully completed in September 2016.
2. The improvement work included:
- Demolitions and Earthworks;
- High quality pavements;
- Surface Water Drainage;
- Street Lighting Installations;
- Street Furniture and Railings;
- Planting and Seating.
3. The public realm development was a key action identified in the Cookstown Town Centre Masterplan.
4. For media enquiries please contact the DfC Press Office on 028 90 823 502 or email Press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. For out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.