ABC Council has been asked to ensure disruption for businesses is kept to a minimum when environmental improvements get underway in Markethill later in the year.
Northstone was appointed in February to carry out the long-awaited schemes, alongside similar works in Gilford and Rathfriland.
A £2m investment is on the cards across the three areas, with the projects to be delivered on a phased basis.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons – confirming the works in February – described it as a “collaborative programme” being carried out in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Department for Infrastructure, and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
It would, he said, provide a “great opportunity to strengthen and revitalise these rural towns”.
With that said, there is a recognition that the environmental improvements will make a real difference to the areas.
But there is a recognition too that businesses needed to be able to trade.
Initial works have begun in Rathfriland, which will be followed by Gilford over the summer and Markethill next.
The latter is expected to see contractors move on site in August or September, if all goes to schedule.
Local DUP Councillor Adam Copeland has urged ABC Council officials to ensure that traders in Markethill are fully consulted and “trade disruption minimised”.
He said: “Whilst this scheme is vital and will transform the streetscape in Markethill, the importance of trade and the free flow of the public who rely on the important trader base in the town cannot be overstated.
“I have stressed the importance of good communication between the council scheme oversight and the contractors to ensure that issues, when they arise, are quickly dealt with and that trader concerns are listened to and acted upon during the busy works periods.
“I have asked that council considers a forum is created to open a communication channel, as I feel this will allow traders’ views to be heard throughout the construction phase and given the fact the street works will pass by each trader’s front door.
“This scheme, when complete, will obviously bring a much needed facelift to the streetscape in the town and will address many of the on-street surface defects and ultimately be hugely beneficial.
“However, the key to the whole project will be to effectively mitigate the realities of on-street construction with the need to ensure access to the many businesses in the town.
“I will continue to liaise with council in this important issue.”
