A major Belfast City Council programme has been hailed as an example of best practice in urban regeneration.

The council's 'Renewing The Routes' initiative is one of six projects across the UK to have been recognised by the British Urban Regeneration Association in its 2009 'Best Practice in Regeneration' awards.

This is a unique programme, aimed at stimulating and supporting the physical and environmental regeneration of the arterial routes of north and west Belfast.

Led by Belfast City Council, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Belfast Regeneration Office and the relevant Area Partnership Boards, the programme has seen £4.1 million invested in a variety of urban regeneration schemes along a number of key arterial routes into the city, including the Antrim Road, Crumlin Road, Falls Road, Shankill Road and Upper Springfield Road.

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The programme has involved the targeting of a wide range of projects, including the replacement or upgrading of almost 400 shop fronts, the installation of iconic public art works, more than 40 much needed environmental improvement projects, the installation of feature lighting, and the restoration of several historic buildings.

Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, has been closely involved with the project throughout its lifetime, and said that it had made a tangible impact on the socio-economic lives of the communities in which the work had been carried out.

"I live in one of the areas covered by the project and, from talking to local people, it is clear that the many improvements brought about by 'Renewing The Routes' have been welcomed," said Councillor Humphrey.

"The range of different work that has been carried out has been a talking point, as it makes the whole area more attractive.

"The transformation achieved by the work has increased the confidence of the communities involved and encouraged people to visit and spend more time in each area: this can only be good for both the local communities and the businesses within them.

"This award is a fitting tribute to both the team delivering the programme and the communities with whom we have worked closely to bring these many projects to fruition," he concluded.

The current phase of the programme, which began in 2007 and is due to come to an end in March 2010, attracted the support of the Integrated Development Fund, which is administered by the Department for Social Development.

(BMcC/KMcA)