Ballymena In £4m Regeneration Plan

Ballymena in County Antrim is to benefit from investment in the town centre worth £4m.

The main features incorporated in the scheme are:

- The creation of a main focal point for the town centre and public space at Broadway

- The use of high quality materials such as Caithness stone

- Use of bespoke street lighting, street furniture and signage

- Promoting a shared space so that people movements are given priority over traffic.

Social Development Minister was speaking at the launch of the new Ballymena town centre public realm strategy.

He said: "Ultimately what we want is to provide a completely new look and feel to the whole of the town centre, putting people first, which is what really matters."

The scheme is being delivered by Ballymena Borough Council and follows a public consultation process during the summer.

The consultation included a programme of public events and workshops held with local retailers.

The Council will now undertake a detailed design of the proposed Core Streets Public Realm Scheme for Broadway, Ballymoney Street, Broughshane Street, Wellington Street and Church Street.

PJ McAvoy Mayor of Ballymena said: "This announcement today is a great Christmas present to Ballymena. We, in Council, set out two years ago to create an ambitious and ground-breaking Public Realm Strategy, which put people first.

"Over the summer, many people in Ballymena took part in our activity-based consultation programme which included an Urban Farm, Street Olympics, music and activity. This was all designed to get people to think how they would like to use the public space in their town centre.

"We hope, through energetic management and thoughtful design, the town centre streets and spaces will come alive with people. They will be welcomed to the town centre, not only to shop and to work, but to relax, to play, to learn and to enjoy."

(IT)