Minister Hargey marks completion of £4.27m Coalisland public realm scheme

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has visited Coalisland to mark the completion of the £4.27m public realm scheme which has transformed the town.

Completion of Coalisland public realm

The Minister also announced a further investment of £274,000 by her Department to deliver a revitalisation scheme for Coalisland.

Minister Hargey said:

“This is a welcome boost for Coalisland.  Public realm schemes such as this deliver significant physical enhancements to our town and city centres, making them more appealing, accessible, vibrant and welcoming places to be.

“The improvements have made Coalisland town centre a much more accessible space for all members of the community and has been very positively received by those individuals with mobility issues.

“Everyone who uses the town has seen these improvements take shape.  Now they can enjoy all the benefits the improved environment brings as the town continues in its recovery from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Department for Communities provided £3.72m towards the scheme with Mid Ulster District Council contributing a further £553k.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Paul McLean commented:

“The recently completed multi-million pound public realm scheme in Coalisland has created a safe, high quality and pedestrian-friendly environment while also greatly improving traffic flow and parking around the town. Our sincere thanks to DfC for investing this significant level of funding to facilitate such a substantial and impactful scheme, which will positively shape the look and feel of the town for years to come.”

Following the successful completion of the public realm scheme, the Department is providing a further £274,000 to further support the town centre including the delivery of a scheme at Lineside that will improve connectivity and accessibility to the town centre.

Minister Hargey said:

“This further investment will complement the recently completed public realm works funded by the Department and is part of my commitment to the regeneration of our town and city centres.  This injection of funding will help to further support the area, which in turn will assist local retailers, businesses, residents and visitors here in Coalisland.” 

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Paul McLean added:

“The new revitalisation works in Coalisland will greatly enhance the town, and in particular see improvements to the hugely popular Canal towpath which is a focal part of the town, linking many different areas to the town centre. This continued significant investment in Coalisland emphasises the Council’s commitment to contributing to the revitalisation of the town, improving access for residents, helping to encourage more shoppers and supporting business development. Thank you to DfC for this substantial funding and for realising the benefit these works will have for the town, its residents, businesses, visitors and shoppers.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption: Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has visited Coalisland to mark the completion of the £4.27m public realm scheme which has transformed the town.  Pictured are Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, Council Chair, Cllr Paul McLean, Mid Ulster Disability Forum representative, Ursula Marshall and Chair of the Coalisland Town Centre Forum, Cllr Niamh Doris.
2. The public realm works were completed at the end of February 2022.  The scheme has delivered improvements to the footpaths, paving, drainage, lighting, street furniture, landscaping and planting.  It has improved pedestrian access, movement and safety throughout the town and has been welcomed by those who found navigating around Coalisland particularly challenging.  In addition, it has also involved the removal of some derelict properties and with the provision of new lighting delivering a safe and positive atmosphere to the town centre.
3. The revitalisation funding from the Department will, in addition to Lineside deliver a new town centre brand and associated merchandise to encourage people to shop local and modern festive lighting to showcase the town and expand the Christmas animation events and extend the trading period.
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