Funding of more than £740,000 has been announced for improvement works in Limavady town centre.

Announced by Communities Minister Paul Givan, the funding will deliver public realm upgrades along Connell Street and Irish Green Street and a revitalisation scheme for Market Street.

The Department for Communities is providing £721,000 with a further £21,300 being provided by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Minister Givan said: "This funding will promote and further improve the appearance of the shop fronts and the public realm of this beautiful market town and complements my Department's earlier investments. This will help to support and expand the existing independent and niche retail provision in the town.

"We will continue to work in partnership with the Council and other key stakeholders to identify and deliver initiatives that will contribute to the regeneration of Limavady."

The Department for Communities is investing £371,000 for public realm improvements along Connell Street and Irish Green Street. These will include an upgrade of the footway surfaces, kerbs, street lighting and to resurface areas of the carriageway. The public realm improvements will be delivered by the Department for Infrastructure's TransportNI. 

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Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: "I am pleased that my Department has been working in partnership with the Department for Communities in developing and implementing these much needed public realm schemes in Limavady. These will considerably enhance the physical environment of Connell Street and Irish Green Street which will benefit the local community and visitors to the town for many years to come."

A further £350,000 is available for the enhancement of retail premises in Market Street. The Revitalisation scheme has been jointly developed by the Department for Communities and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council who are providing a further £21,300 towards delivery of the project. The project will include the installation of new shop frontages, painting, replacement of rainwater goods and repairing or replacement of windows, doors and external plasterwork. 

Welcoming the funding for Limavady and the wider borough, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey said: "Limavady is an important rural hub in our borough. This funding which has been made available is a great opportunity for the town's retailers to enhance the quality shopping offer and individuality of this market town.

"The successful first phases of development in Main Street and Linenhall Street proved to be a catalyst for further investment and we hope that everyone who is eligible will take advantage of the funding available from the Department for Communities and Council. I'd like to thank the Minister and his officials for their continued support for our borough. We look forward to seeing the results of ReVitalise and the public realm works in 2017."

(MH/LM)