Work has begun on the regeneration of the town centre in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

The £2.7m public realm scheme will focus on Market Street and Church Place and will include widening pavements and improving the quality of main civic spaces.

Welcoming the project, Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, said: "This is a positive and welcome start to 2010 for the people of Lurgan. It is a great opportunity to regenerate and invigorate the town centre and make it a much more pleasant shopping experience for both residents and visitors.

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"The completed scheme will restore the town centre to standard befitting a modern, contemporary market town and will hopefully improve future trading conditions in the town.

"My Department has invested substantial funding in this scheme and we are working closely with Craigavon Borough Council and DRD Roads Service to complete the work by early autumn 2010. I would like to extend my thanks to the people of Lurgan for their continued cooperation and support."

Chair of the Communications Management Group, set up to oversee the project, and Chair of Development Committee Alderman Sydney Anderson added: "This investment will help Lurgan substantially in a number of ways. Firstly it will bring some local employment within the construction industry and make sure that the town is fit for the 21st century. This is great news for Lurgan and will help contribute to Lurgan’s regeneration and development."

(NS/GK)