IN/0727

Rejuvenation bid for Omagh town centre
By Darran McCann
Tyrone Correspondent

OMAGH'S town centre is to undergo a £I.7 million facelift over the next 18 months under new government plans.
The project to renovate the centre of the market town is to include such improvements as new street furniture, repaved streets and public art.
Announcing the package, NIO direct rule minister with responsibility for social development, John Spellar said the project would "enhance the appearance and improve access by pedestrians and people with disabilities to the heart of Omagh town".
Work is due to commence as early as next month on improvements to High Street, Market Street, Bridge Street and Scarffe's Entry.
The project is to be funded by the Department for Social Development (DSD) with Omagh District Council and the Department for Regional Development (DRD) also making a contribution.
"This new work will carry on from the improvements to the Churches area, completed by DSD in 1999," Mr Spellar said.
"It will improve the appearance of Omagh town centre for both local people and visitors and will contribute to the regeneration of West Tyrone generally."
He said high quality materials would be used in repaving streets while new street furniture, trees and public art would also be incorporated.
"The scheme has been designed to give a greater priority to the pedestrian and special attention has been paid to easy access for disabled people," he said.
Local contractor McFadden Ltd and designers Ferguson Mcllveen are to carry out the work, with Omagh district council given an overseeing role.
Completion of the two-phase scheme is expected by next summer. The first phase of work is to end in tome for the Christmas period, while phase two will begin in the New Year.
Angela Hughes of Omagh business forum said business owners in the town were delighted at the new development.
"It will only serve to improve the town-scape and help to make the town a more attractive place for people to visit," she said.
"It's quite an extensive scheme as it covers most of the town centre."