Plans for a series of road improvements and a new public space have been green lit for Strabane, Co Tyrone.

These public realm upgrades aim to address a number of issues including alleviating traffic congestion, and restoring character and identity to the town centre through high quality public realm design and improved infrastructure.

Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee granted full planning permission for the scheme today, 04 July.

Welcoming the news, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle said: "I am delighted to see these transformative plans for Strabane fully approved today and I want to acknowledge all the effort that has gone into reaching this stage of the process.

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"There has been a legacy of underinvestment in Strabane Town Centre and I am so pleased to see Council addressing many of the challenges that have restricted economic growth and development by investing significantly in the area.

"This is an exciting time for Strabane, and as a native of the town I am very much looking forward to seeing the full delivery of these plans and the additional development projects which are also in the pipeline. These include the Melvin Arena stand and 3G pitch, the green space at Lisnafin, the Strabane/Lifford phase of the North West Greenway Project and the Canal Basin Regeneration Project, to name but a few."

The plans are now moving to the next stage with work expected to begin on site shortly.

Funding of €8.96m has also been confirmed from the EU Peace IV for the Riverine project which will see the development of the cross border area between Strabane and Donegal.

(CM/JG)