Works start on £300,000 improvement scheme in Dungannon

by Gráinne Connolly

Work has started on the scheme to address pedestrian safety, traffic flow and parking in Market Square, Dungannon. 

Mid Ulster District Council has appointed Northstone (NI) Ltd to undertake the work that will bring a further £300,000 investment into the town centre. 

A number of works will take place including: 

• The addition of a pedestrian crossing from the Market Square car park to the other side of the square at Irish Street junction
   
• The removal of the barrier and provision of a footway along the length of the car park
   
• The removal of the lights exiting the car park
   
• A left turn only into Church Street
   
• A change in priority at the entrance to the Square from Thomas Street
   
• Wider parking bays for ease of customer parking
   
• An additional crossing point from the middles of the Square's car park 
   
• Additional car parking in the square (when it is not hosting events)

Vehicles in the upper section of the car park will still be able to exit on to Market Square and then choose to travel towards Thomas Street, Scotch Street or Church Street. 

The scheme has been driven forward by the council, which, while not responsible for traffic management or roads issues, is working to resolve problem which arose from the first phase of public realm works in the town in 2012. 

Chair of the Council, Councillor Kim Ashton visited the site as work began

(Simon Tomlinson (AECOM), Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Kim Ashton, Padraig Mullan (Northstone Construction Group), and Ciaran McElhatton (Northstone Construction Group).

She says: 

"This is an important scheme for Dungannon town centre to deal with the access issues which have been a source of complaints for the last number of years. 

"As with every construction project, our aim is to minimise disruption to local businesses, residents and visitors, and to that end, the contractors will be working in phases and will also be undertaking night-time work to reduce yet further any inconvenience.

“Local people show great patience and understanding and I thank them for their continued cooperation”.

 The town centre will remain open for business 10 week process - it should be complete by 23 November 2017.