A major regeneration project has been unveiled today with news of a £3m town centre public realm scheme in Lurgan.

The NI Social Development Minister Alex Attwood said that the project created a high quality, modern urban environment in the heart of the Co Armagh town centre.

"I appreciate that we are working in unprecedented difficult economic times, however, I want to encourage investment in our towns and cities that contribute to our economy," he said, noting "there is a good argument that pound for pound, government investment in urban regeneration is as effective an economic tool as other job interventions".

He explained that the public realm improvement work includes new user friendly pedestrian environment; new street furniture and improved ornate lighting; town centre landscaping and planting of lime trees and new stone paving with extensive lifespan.

During his visit to the market town, the Minister walked through the streets to see at first hand the transformation.

Alex Attwood said: "This is good news for Lurgan and the many residents and visitors who will come to the town centre over the next few years. The public realm scheme will help shape the fortune of this town by attracting and stimulating further private sector investment.

"It will also help further establish the town centre as modern and contemporary, while retaining its original character. It will make the town accessible to all by creating a safer environment to encourage more people back into it."

The Minister continued: "The completion of this scheme is the result of a combination of hard work, determination and perseverance of all those involved including my Department, Craigavon Borough Council, DRD Roads Service, the contractor and indeed the local traders within the towns."

Chair of Craigavon Borough Council Development Committee, Alderman Sydney Anderson explained that the public realm had literally transformed Lurgan Town Centre.

"An investment in public realm of £3million – a figure which I know is the envy of many public representatives throughout NI. It has been a long haul and there was pain, but now it has been completed I am confident that most would agree that it has been worth it.

"However the works could only have gone ahead with the co-operation and input from traders, local businesses and members of the public, a factor which the Council really wants to acknowledge and appreciates.

"We now have a town with well designed public spaces which can actually play an important part in regeneration and economic growth and which we are confident will attract new investors.

"Overall the public realm works have left a lasting legacy for our future generations and a town of which we can all be proud," he said.

(GK)