New images show great potential of public realm

NEW images have been released showing the massive potential of Strabane’s forthcoming public realm works.

As depicted in these artist’s impressions, the £7million project, which has been in the pipeline for almost a decade, would result in an entire reconfiguration of Strabane town centre.

As well as the resurfacing of footways, enhancements will include street tree planting, new street lighting and furniture.

The Pagoda and the public toilets on Market Street are set for removal and improvements are due for the junction at Railway Street, Abercorn Square, Derry Road and Canal Street.

Provided to this newspaper by Derry City and Strabane District Council, the images also show there will be a realignment of the traffic flows and improvements to a number of junctions and parking areas in and around the town centre area with priority given to traffic travelling between Market Street and Railway Street and a new junction for traffic wishing to turn onto the Derry Road.

“It’s very exciting,” West Tyrone MLA, Daniel McCrossan said.

“This project brings significant public investment into Strabane town centre that is desperately needed.

“It will change the whole landscape of our town centre for the better and importantly clean it up after years of blatant neglect.

“Only in the past few weeks we’ve seen the neglect of the town come to a head as weeds, trees and rubbish piled up on our town centre streets.

“We’ve argued this isn’t acceptable and gladly got agreement for major clean up works.”

He added, “It’s vitally important that the scheme now progresses without any further delay, either by council or the Department for Communities. Strabane deserves this investment and much more.”