Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced that FP McCann has been awarded the contract to deliver the £3m streetscape renewal of Bank Square in Belfast City Centre and its surrounding streets.

The work will begin in July and is due for completion by November 2014.

Mr McCausland said: "I am pleased to announce today that FP McCann has been awarded the contract to deliver the revitalisation of Bank Square and the surrounding area. To complete the project my Department is investing £3million on new paving, lighting, artwork and play equipment for children, which will transform the Square and deliver a unique and significantly upgraded public space in the heart of Belfast city centre.

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"Creating a high quality shared space, which is accessible for pedestrians and also become a locus for street performance, markets and others uses will contribute to the economic regeneration of the Westside area and the wider city centre."

Although Bank Square is secluded from the main shopping area in the city centre Minister McCausland acknowledged that there would be some disruption.

He said: "I have been assured that any disruption will be kept to a minimum during the construction period, but I would ask city centre stakeholders and the public to bear with us, as the end result will be worthwhile. The legacy of this investment will build on what has already been achieved by the Belfast Streets Ahead Phase 1 works and create a safer, cleaner, more attractive, more accessible city centre, one we can all be proud of."

(CD/JP)