Lyons announces start of public realm works in Downpatrick
Communities Minster Gordon Lyons has announced that public realm works in the Church Street and De Courcy Place areas of Downpatrick will start this summer.
The Department for Communities has provided £2.5million of funding for the scheme, with a contribution of £400,000 from Newry Mourne and Down District Council. Newly appointed contractors, John McQuillan Contracts Ltd, are now working in partnership with scheme consultants AECOM to prepare for onsite works commencing in the summer of 2026.
The works will take place on Church Street from Pillar Well Lane to the Scotch Street junction, and on De Courcy Place/Lower English Street from the Church Street junction to the frontage of Denvir’s Hotel.
The scheme will focus on providing a long-overdue renewal and upgrade of the area, including new footpath surfacing, comprising granite paving with natural stone kerbs; tactile paving for pedestrian crossings; replacement traffic signals; street furniture planters; new street trees; and new streetlights.
Welcoming the scheme, Minister Lyons said: “I am pleased that work to improve this historic part of Downpatrick will soon be commencing.
“This major investment will complement previously completed schemes within Downpatrick and will help unlock wider physical and social regeneration within the town centre to encourage more visitors and tourists to the area, providing a welcome boost for the local economy.”
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Councillor Philip Campbell said: “This investment is long overdue, represents a key output from the Downpatrick Living High Street Framework and is a great opportunity to further boost the overall regeneration and growth of the town.
“Council is fully aware of the disruption already experienced on the street from the advance utility works and will work closely with government agencies and the public realm contractor regarding traffic management and overall delivery of the works.”
Mal McGrady, Chair of Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group (DRWG), said: “Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group is pleased to see the further roll-out of works identified as necessary to upgrade one of the main arterial routes into the centre of Downpatrick and make the approach to the historic English Street/Mall area more appealing visually.
“We are thankful to the Department of Communities and Newry Mourne and Down District Council for providing funding which will improve the town centre for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
“DRWG will continue to address areas identified for improvement both in relation to infrastructure and events that will enable us to enhance visitor numbers to the town.”
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