Improvement works are to take place at Belfast's main Orange Hall - in Clifton Street - to restore the façade of the historic building back to its former glory.

The hall is a building with significant architectural merit and includes Belfast's only equestrian statue.

The works include removing the entrance railings, façade cleaning, decoration and the removal of the protective barrier.

It is part of Belfast City Council's 'Renewing the Routes' programme on the Crumlin Road.

The scheme seeks to address the declining economy and environmental quality on the north Belfast road and immediate area.

The plans highlight 'nodes for regeneration activity' along the Crumlin Road, which include Carlisle Circus, a major gateway to north Belfast, the lower Crumlin Road, Ardoyne roundabout and Glenbank.

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Other works taking place along the Crumlin Road include shopfront improvements at lower Crumlin Road, Ardoyne and Glenbank; landscaping at Agnes Street/Cliftonpark Avenue and Glenbank Drive; and public realm improvements at the Carlisle Circus and Ardoyne roundabouts.

Belfast City Council's 'Renewing the Routes' project has been awarded funding from the Integrated Development Fund for physical and environmental improvements for the Crumlin, Shankill, Falls and Upper Springfield arterial routes.

The 'Renewing the Routes' programme is a partnership between Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the five Area Partnership Boards.

An application was submitted to the Integrated Development Fund following a pilot arterial route scheme funded by Belfast City Council's Brighter Belfast initiative.

Regeneration work on Belfast's arterial routes follows a key recommendation of the Greater Shankill Task Force report of 2002 stating the need for the enhancement of the arterial routes and the interaction between transport issues and the maintenance of retailing activities.

(PR)