£330k boost to revitalise Dungannonan and Cookstown town centres

The money will be matched by a further £30,000 of investment from Mid Ulster Council and will finance major physical improvements to the towns.

It is hoped the money will re-energise the town centres, which have already been given a major boost by the Public Realm Scheme.

Dungannon town centre was given a £2m facelift by the scheme, which sparked public anger and claims that the town’s Market Square was the ‘least friendly pedestrian centre in the North’.

Aggrieved residents and traders have complained to the council about problems regarding car parking, traffic snarl ups and pedestrian access.

It is understood that Mid Ulster Councils is now examining radical proposals to overhaul the changes.

The new funding is subject to submission and assessment of applications from Mid Ulster Council, and the projects must be completed by 31st March 2017.

Mid Ulster Council has said it will approach the department for communities for a similar scheme to

be delivered in Magherafelt, once the Public Realm Scheme has been completed.