The regeneration of Armagh city centre will benefit from £180,000 funding.
£150,000 of that funding will be used as part of the Friary Road/Newry Road Junction Environmental Improvement Scheme.
The money will go towards high quality paving material, landscaping, new stone boundary walls around the car park, improved street lighting and access to the car park from the city centre.
Additionally, the Armagh Lighting Strategy Implementation Scheme which will receive £30,000 from the Department will establish a welcoming environment for those who come to visit by enhancing the lighting infrastructure and improving the fabric of Armagh City as well as introducing character and distinctiveness to Market Street, Shambles Yard, The Mall, College Street and the Scotch Street/Dobbin Street Gateway.
Minister Storey said: “Both of these projects have the potential to greatly enhance the visitor experience in Armagh City Centre I am confident that these initiatives will facilitate further development of the economy, improve the pedestrian environment and enhance the streetscape, thereby encouraging people to spend more time in the city centre.”
The Minister added: “The close collaboration between my Department, Transport NI and Armagh City and District Council has achieved the completion of previous significant and highly successful projects, within Armagh City Centre.
“The new Friary Road/Newry Road and Lighting Strategy implementation projects will facilitate improved access and movement through the city as well as improving and enhancing the lighting to key areas within the city. The impact will enhance the overall visitor, business and resident experience and provide more opportunities for businesses in the evening and the night time economy. ”
John Briggs, Chief Executive of Armagh City and District Council said “The work on the Friary Road is a critical component of the Armagh Masterplan and the Council are working in conjunction with both Transport NI and the Department for Social Development in order to progress the scheme. When complete, the scheme will offer much needed improvements to traffic flow in this area as well as enhancing the pedestrian environment.”
