A Stormont Minister has been 'messing about on the river' this week with news of the launch of a modern marina facility at the newly revamped Donegall Quay in Belfast.

The Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland was on hand to open the new River Lagan Marina and mark completion of building works at adjacent Donegall Quay.

The new marina is situated at the Lagan Weir and offers river users the opportunity to visit Belfast by boat.

It is designed for small private craft to use as a mooring point and aims to encourage greater recreational traffic on the river as an alternative way to travel to Belfast city centre.

It represents another aspect of the regeneration of the River Lagan and the surrounding area. The marina aims to attract visitors to the area who may wish to shop, eat or go to a show but wish to avoid the hassle of driving.

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The newly completed area at Donegall Quay now also means visitors can walk the Belfast length of the Lagan unimpeded.

The focal point is a buoy donated by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, which is expected to become a tourist attraction.

DUP Minister McCausland said: "The launch of the marina is another key regeneration feature in creating an exciting and vibrant waterfront which will attract tourists and investors alike.

"As Belfast looks towards 2012 and prepares to celebrate the anniversary of the Titanic, areas of interest along the waterfront will help to provide appealing links between the city centre and the Titanic Quarter for visitors and resident of our beautiful city."

The reinstatement work on Donegall Quay follows on from the completion of Obel in June 2010 and the recent occupation of office space in the building by Allen & Overy, who are bringing up to 300 jobs to the area.

There has been major investment in the area by Allen & Overy and Karl Properties whose Managing Director, Aran Blackbourne said: "We are delighted to see the River Lagan becoming more and more alive.

"It is great to see the river becoming a focal point once more. Our ambition with Obel was to ensure we added to the legacy started by Laganside Corporation when the weir was created.

"True regeneration is about the people and the people of Belfast can be proud of this area once again," he said.

(BMcC)