With a £1.8m scheme to upgrade Monaghan Street and a portion of Hill Street going on site early next year – plans are already afoot to extend the project. The Department for Social Development (DSD) has told Newry and Mourne District Council that a further £1.5m in funding is available for Public Realm Works in Newry City split over financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14. According to the minutes of the October meeting of the council’s economic development committee, the council is now being asked to consider the funding of an initial Concept, Design/ Economic Appraisal Stage in 2011/2012 up to a maximum of £40,000 and then to consider putting a further 10 per cent (£150,000) towards the £1.5m for the actual future works in 12/13 – 13/14. “At the conclusion of this economic appraisal stage a decision can then be made on what Public Realm priority can be opted for in terms of the options given whether this is an extension to Hill Street scheme or to start to the Quays sections along the canal from Sugar Island Bridge to Dublin Bridge.” The Council will now discuss the matter further at the relevant steering committee sub group with the proposed initial £40,000 outlay to be considered by the scrutiny committee. The matter as a whole will also be referred for consideration in the council’s upcoming rate setting process. Meanwhile at Monday night’s meeting direct of district development Gerard McGivern confirmed that the council had ed a preferred tender for the appointment of the supplier of stone materials for the upcoming Hill Street and Monaghan Street Public Realm schemes- a decision that is now subject to a 10 day cooling off period. To this Mourne Councillor Sean Rogers (SDLP) enquired whether of not the stone would be locally sourced – something the director said would be checked.
Newry Reporter
19th October 2011
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