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11/11/2016
Funding Announced For Lanyon Tunnels Redevelopment
The Executive's Social Investment Fund has announced funding of £1.3 million for the redevelopment of Lanyon Tunnels in Belfast.
The former railway tunnels run beneath East Bridge Street and have lain derelict for almost 70 years. The newly announced funding secures a scheme which will see the site developed to provide two childcare facilities, five tunnels for commercial rental and one tunnel connecting the Markets area with the city centre.
Speaking during a visit to the site, Junior Minister Megan Fearon said: "The Executive's £1.3million investment in the Lanyon Tunnels will help regenerate this historically significant site, benefitting the area economically and socially.
"As well as employment opportunities and increasing community services, the project will importantly remove the physical barrier between the Markets area and the City Centre, improving mobility and access, and reconnecting the local community to the wider area.
"The Social Investment Fund is a strategically designed Executive initiative to achieve real, long-lasting social benefits for those who need it most, and local people and local needs are at the heart of it.
"Projects representing £76 million of the £80 million fund have either started or are operational and communities are really starting to benefit. It's providing early intervention, education and employment opportunities to support and improve the future potential to those who need it most, as well as capital projects, such as the Lanyon Tunnels, to improve services in areas including health, employment and childcare."
Welcoming the news, Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: "The £1.3 million investment in the Lanyon Tunnels will help regenerate this historically significant site and will be of benefit to the area both economically and socially.
"The tunnels will be developed to provide two childcare facilities, five tunnels will be for commercial rental with one connecting the Markets area with the City Centre.
"As well as employment opportunities and increasing community services, the project will remove the physical barrier between the Markets area and the City Centre and help improve mobility and access."
The Market Development Association (MDA) was established in 1995 to promote the wellbeing of residents of the Market area of South Belfast. Of 14 initiatives identified in their Market Regeneration Plan, the signature project was the regeneration of the Lanyon Tunnels with the potential to provide commercial and regeneration floor space.
Belfast City Council are also providing funding for the £2.6m project.
(MH/JP)
The former railway tunnels run beneath East Bridge Street and have lain derelict for almost 70 years. The newly announced funding secures a scheme which will see the site developed to provide two childcare facilities, five tunnels for commercial rental and one tunnel connecting the Markets area with the city centre.
Speaking during a visit to the site, Junior Minister Megan Fearon said: "The Executive's £1.3million investment in the Lanyon Tunnels will help regenerate this historically significant site, benefitting the area economically and socially.
"As well as employment opportunities and increasing community services, the project will importantly remove the physical barrier between the Markets area and the City Centre, improving mobility and access, and reconnecting the local community to the wider area.
"The Social Investment Fund is a strategically designed Executive initiative to achieve real, long-lasting social benefits for those who need it most, and local people and local needs are at the heart of it.
"Projects representing £76 million of the £80 million fund have either started or are operational and communities are really starting to benefit. It's providing early intervention, education and employment opportunities to support and improve the future potential to those who need it most, as well as capital projects, such as the Lanyon Tunnels, to improve services in areas including health, employment and childcare."
Welcoming the news, Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: "The £1.3 million investment in the Lanyon Tunnels will help regenerate this historically significant site and will be of benefit to the area both economically and socially.
"The tunnels will be developed to provide two childcare facilities, five tunnels will be for commercial rental with one connecting the Markets area with the City Centre.
"As well as employment opportunities and increasing community services, the project will remove the physical barrier between the Markets area and the City Centre and help improve mobility and access."
The Market Development Association (MDA) was established in 1995 to promote the wellbeing of residents of the Market area of South Belfast. Of 14 initiatives identified in their Market Regeneration Plan, the signature project was the regeneration of the Lanyon Tunnels with the potential to provide commercial and regeneration floor space.
Belfast City Council are also providing funding for the £2.6m project.
(MH/JP)
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