Newry Canal is set for a £2.4m upgrade that planners hope will revitalise one of the city’s oldest and greatest assets. Newry and Mourne Council and the Department for Social Development (DSD) have announced the start of a Public Consultation Process regarding the proposed Newry City Linkages Public Realm Scheme. The scheme will include the replacement of the existing canal boundary wall with a new decorative maritime railing and the removal of car parking spaces on Merchant’s Quay to facilitate a new, wider, granite paved/ kerbed pathway. New decorative street lighting, street furniture, tree planting and public art are also proposed as part of the ambitious regeneration scheme. The-project of which DSD is providing £2m-with the council contributing the other £400,000- is aiming to start-on site in April of May next year and will run until early 2014. The works will be concentrated on the canal side of Buttercrane Quay and Merchant’s Quay, between Dublin Bridge and Sugar Island. However before finalising the design the project promoters will put the draft scheme proposals on display in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre from tomorrow (Wednesday) until Wednesday December 12. During this period the proposals can also be viewed and commented on through the Council’s website at www.newryandmourne.gov.uk. The consultants will also be available on Wednesday December 5 in Newry Town Hall Boardroom from 4pm-8pm for anyone that wishes to discuss the proposals in more detail. A council spokesperson described the scheme as a “significant investment in Newry’s waterfront,” adding: “The general public and in particular traders are encouraged to come along, view the proposals and feed their comments into the process. To compensate for the proposed loss of car parking along the canal side of Merchants Quay the council have agreed to work with Newry City Centre Management (NCCMP) to discuss opening the Corry Square/ Catherine Street council owned site as an upgraded car-park on a longer termed basis. Meanwhile DSD is working with NCCMP to looking at upgrading of the former North Street flats site to a long term car-park that could be opened all year round.
Newry Reporter
27th November 2012-11-27
“