THREE government ministers have paid tribute to the ongoing public realm scheme being carried out in Portaferry.
The major project to deliver environmental improvements to the core of Portaferry is being carried out by contractors, Northstone, and includes the widening of footpaths, improved street lighting, better pedestrian connectivity and a redesign of the car park within Market Square.
The areas affected include Market Square, Castle Street, Ferry Street, High Street and Meeting House Street.
Ministers Gordon Lyons, Andrew Muir and John O’Dowd, whose departments are contributing to the costs of the project, have all paid tribute to the scheme as has the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alastair Cathcart, who visited the scheme last week.
He met with members of the local Men’s Shed who built a large model train from pallets donated by the contractors, and with children from St Mary’s Primary School who visited the site.
Mr Lyons, the Minister for Communities, said he is delighted to see the positive impact this project is having on people of all ages in Portaferry, and it reinforces the need for improved social value across all projects, wherever possible.
“I am also pleased to see the excellent progress being made on the delivery of the Portaferry Public Realm Project itself which will have a truly transformative impact on Portaferry,” he said.
Mr Muir, the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, said his department continues to work in partnership across central and local government to deliver projects which are
helping to regenerate rural villages and town centres.
“I am delighted to hear of this positive, added value experience developed with the contractors, the Men’s Shed Group, St Mary’s Primary School, and the local community.”
Mr O’Dowd, who is the Minister Infrastructure, said the project is a great example of the excellent added social value that schemes such as the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme (SSRP) can have in local communities.
“I am delighted to hear that this donation to the local men’s shed has been put to good use and repurposed and that local schoolchildren from St. Mary’s Primary School have been able to play a small part in the progression of this important public realm scheme,” he said.
Mr Cathcart said the children from St. Mary’s were full of inquisitive enthusiasm and learned a lot from their educational visit, especially when they each laid a cobble, while the Portaferry Men’s Shed have been able to repurpose and reuse the wooden crates that were used to deliver materials for the Scheme.
“I am delighted to see the local community getting involved in this excellent scheme that will help to revitalise and benefit everyone who lives, works or visits Portaferry,” he said.
The Portaferry Public Realm Scheme is funded under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme (SSRP) with additional funding from Ards and North Down Council. The SSRP is a collaborative approach, with contributions from the Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure, and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The Scheme commenced in October 2023 and is on schedule to complete later this year, marking a significant £2m investment in Portaferry.