A firm of construction consultants have been appointed to deliver a third proposed public realm scheme for Newry City Centre. At a recent council meeting it was confirmed that a £62,789 contract had been awarded with the successful bidder now responsible for the development of plans for a scheme that would yield improvements to the Upper (Ulster Bank to Best’s) and Lower (Corn Dolly to Bennett’s Jewellers) Hill Street areas. Should sufficient funding be available improvements to Margaret Street and Marcus Street could also be brought forward. In a statement Newry and Mourne District Council said it is “currently working in partnership with DSD, Newry Chamber and Newry City Centre Management with a view to bringing forward a Public Realm Scheme that will see works carried out on another section of Upper Hill Street and possibly some of its side streets. The Project is currently at Economic Appraisal Stage and only after it has received approval can the Concept Design proceed to Public Consultation in early 2014 whenever a firmer time frame for the actual scheme delivery will be known.” It has also been confirmed that in the longer term the council will seek funding for further schemes in the Town Hall / Kildare Street and Lower Hill Street / John Mitchel Street areas of the city centre. Such developments follow last year’s £1.9m redevelopment of sections of Hill Street and Monaghan Street as well as the ongoing £2.4m upgrade of walkways along the city stretch of the canal.
Newry Reporter
4th December 2013
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