Plans are being developed for a major energy infrastructure project in Cookstown.

The Gas to the West scheme is being delivered by contractors SGN and NI Water.

The project will see a new high pressure and low pressure gas pipelines developed into the west of Northern Ireland, bringing natural gas to the towns of Coalisland, Cookstown, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Omagh and Strabane.

With works set to begin in mid-July, Mid Ulster District Council requested both contracting teams to present their works plans, including traffic management plans for the area, to elected members and Cookstown Town Centre Forum.

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A number of issues were raised, including the lack of communication from contractors to local businesses and the local community. It was agreed that once the work begins and as it progresses, regular updates will be provided to Mid Ulster District Council by the contractors, and contracting teams will disseminate information to local businesses and the local community by both direct contact and through local press.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr Kim Ashton, said: "While we welcome the investment which Gas to the West and NI Water are bringing to Mid Ulster and the potential for local businesses to tender for opportunities within the Gas to the West project, we also recognise the disruption the works will cause, and to ensure that this is kept to an absolute minimum for residents and businesses in the area, the Council has asked that the contracting teams plan and communicate at the earliest opportunity and frequently throughout the project with local businesses and the community."

(LM/MH)