£860,000 Newry regeneration scheme will transform Cathedral Corridor

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, has announced funding of over £860,000 for a new regeneration scheme for Newry City Centre.

The Public Realm scheme is supported by the Department for Social Development with a contribution of £662,596, with additional funding of £200,000 from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Minister Storey said: “This new scheme within the Cathedral Corridor area of Newry City will deliver real improvements for everyone to enjoy; and it will fully complement the £2.5million Newry Linkages Public Realm scheme which has transformed Newry’s streetscapes, making them more attractive, and encouraging people to stay a little longer in the City and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Work will be carried out in Margaret Street, Marcus Street, Upper and Lower Hill Street and will include the installation of new kerbing, footways, shared spaces and road surfacing in natural stone paving, along with new street lighting and furniture.

The Minister added: “This scheme will provide a further attraction for visitors and will help to boost the economic regeneration of the City Centre; ensuring that it remains vital and viable for the future.”

The detailed design of the scheme was prepared by Edwin Shipway Consultants who were appointed by Newry and Mourne District Council.

The contractor is due to be appointed in September. Work is due to begin in October, with completion expected in Summer 2016.

Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down, Councillor Naomi Bailie said: “The proposed delivery of the Newry Cathedral Corridor Scheme represents a significant investment in the Public Realm of Newry and will further build on the previous environmental schemes completed within the city over this last number of years.”