A County Tyrone town has been awarded a £3 million investment by the Department for Communities for a public improvement scheme.

The core retail and commercial areas of Coalisland will be given a facelift, with upgrades to roads, paving, footpaths, drainage and landscaping.

Street lighting and furniture, new signage and planting as well as provisions for festive lighting in the town will also be added as part of the scheme, a combined investment with Mid Ulster District Council.

Announcing the funding, Paul McNaught from the Department for Communities, said: "This public realm scheme for Coalisland is the latest in a series of regeneration projects supported by the Department in the Mid Ulster area. This investment in Coalisland town centre will enhance and modernise this important retail core. It is anticipated that the public realm scheme will help to stimulate business, increase footfall, improve pedestrian safety and enhance the local community's environment, laying the foundations for future development and investment."

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The project will enhance movement and safety throughout the town, improve pedestrian access for all, decrease the number of derelict properties and provide new lighting to improve safety within the town centre, thus reducing the potential for anti-social behaviour. Improved traffic management and parking lies at the heart of the scheme and will see the introduction of formalised accessible parking bays, additional off-street car parking and improved road markings and signage.

Welcoming the Department's confirmation of funding, Chair of the Council, Councillor Sean McPeake, said: "This news follows successful planning approval for what is a multi-million pound investment in Coalisland which will transform the town centre, not only enhancing the appearance, but also addressing issues with parking and traffic flow. 

"High quality public realm schemes like this contribute to the revitalisation of our town centres, encouraging visitors to the retail core and supporting wider business development."

(JG)