£5.5million regeneration work begins in Cookstown and Dungannon
Date published:
Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, has visited Cookstown and Dungannon to mark the beginning of regeneration work for both towns.
The £5.5million works include upgrading pedestrian areas and pavements with high quality materials, improved lighting provision, undergrounding of overhead cables, new street furniture, signage and tree planting.
Minister Storey said: “I would like to congratulate F P McCann Ltd on their appointment to deliver the Cookstown scheme and Lagan Construction Group Ltd on their appointment to deliver the Dungannon scheme.
“This major investment will help to significantly transform both town centres and work is progressing well. When completed, both towns will be more attractive and inviting, leading to more footfall and helping local businesses to grow and prosper.”
The Cookstown works began on 19 October and will upgrade and improve James Street / William Street and adjoining streets to the east and west. The Dungannon works began on 9 November 2015 and will be carried out on Scotch Street (Upper, Lower & Centre), George's Street, William Street, Anne Street, Thomas Street, Perry Street and Northland Row. Both schemes are due for completion next Summer.
The Minister continued: “This investment demonstrates my Department’s continuing commitment to regeneration in the Mid Ulster District Council area and follows on from the recent investment of £2.3million for the completion of Dungannon’s Public Realm scheme, phase one."
Welcoming the Minister to both Cookstown and Dungannon, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Linda Dillon, said: “Since the Minister made his public realm funding announcement earlier this year, we’ve been working extremely hard to ensure that we could start delivering this project as quickly as possible.
“Both contractors broke ground within weeks of each other and have now completed the first stages of the planned programme, all with minimal disruption to our town centres.
“I’m pleased that we have the opportunity to show the progress which has been made to date on what is substantial investment in our towns, and look forward to welcoming the Minister back again to see similar works begin in Magherafelt and the completion of the schemes in both Cookstown and Dungannon”.
Notes to editors:
- Photos from the Minister's visits can be viewed at the Departments flickr page.
- Media enquiries to DSD Press Office on 028 9082 92496 or email: press.office@dsdni.gov.uk Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.