The County Tyrone town of Coalisland has been transformed thanks to a £4.2 million public realm scheme.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey visited the town to mark the completion of the public realm works.

Speaking during her visit, Minister Hargey said: "This is a welcome boost for Coalisland. Public realm schemes such as this deliver significant physical enhancements to our town and city centres, making them more appealing, accessible, vibrant and welcoming places to be.

"The improvements have made Coalisland town centre a much more accessible space for all members of the community and has been very positively received by those individuals with mobility issues.

"Everyone who uses the town has seen these improvements take shape. Now they can enjoy all the benefits the improved environment brings as the town continues in its recovery from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic."

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The Department for Communities provided £3.72m towards the scheme with Mid Ulster District Council contributing a further £553k.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Paul McLean commented: "The recently completed multi-million pound public realm scheme in Coalisland has created a safe, high quality and pedestrian-friendly environment while also greatly improving traffic flow and parking around the town. Our sincere thanks to DfC for investing this significant level of funding to facilitate such a substantial and impactful scheme, which will positively shape the look and feel of the town for years to come."

Following the successful completion of the public realm scheme, the Department for Communities is providing a further £274,000 to further support the town centre including the delivery of a scheme at Lineside that will improve connectivity and accessibility to the town centre.

Minister Hargey added: "This further investment will complement the recently completed public realm works funded by the Department and is part of my commitment to the regeneration of our town and city centres. This injection of funding will help to further support the area, which in turn will assist local retailers, businesses, residents and visitors here in Coalisland."