Calls to plan for town's future

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd and Cllr Gemma McKenna met with the Department of Communities to discuss Portadown’s future.

Mr O’Dowd said, “Over this last number of years there has been considerable investment in Portadown, both in the town centre through the town centre public realm works and in areas such as the People’s Park and Curran Street with housing and the soon to be constructed park and ride.

“It is now time to start planning for the next phase of regeneration to ensure the town and its surrounding areas are future proofed and fit to deliver services and an attractive environment for our citizens to live, work and relax in.”

Cllr McKenna added, “The town centre and adjacent residential areas are about to benefit from the Gateways project which will see an upgrading of footpaths and street furniture.

“This will give a more attractive vista for residents and people travelling into and out of the centre. We are also looking to the future as regards social housing and we are lobbying for more affordable and social housing.

“I would encourage people seeking housing to register with the Housing Executive. While I understand the frustration of people not getting social housing, unless we have the numbers registered with the Executive then we cannot get the houses we need built.”