Larne town centre thoroughfare may be next for public realm works

A report presented to Mid and East Antrim council’s Borough Growth Committee on Monday evening indicated that Dunluce Street and a section of Bridge Street could be next in line for an upgrade.

The council anticipates this may be possible within the Department for Communities 2021/22 budget.

A report to elected representatives stated that this work would “greatly enhance the immediate surroundings” of the Inver River Hotel location which is earmarked for the corner of Bridge Street and Dunluce Street.

Dunluce Street, a town centre thoroughfare, has been identified by the local authority previously as a “priority public realm project”.

The borough could be required to provide up to 20 per cent match funding for the paving scheme.

A £2.2m public realm scheme for Larne town centre commenced in September 2015. The areas included in the scheme were High Street (partial), Upper Main Street, Upper Cross Street, Main Street, Broadway, Agnew Street (partial).

The main features were granite pavements and kerbs, new seating and new street lighting.

Coast Road Ulster Unionist Councillor Maureen Morrow commented that Dunluce Street was “a bit of a let down at the minute”.

“Hopefully it will improve over the next few years when we get the hotel up and running.”

Larne Lough DUP Councillor Gregg McKeen suggested it may be worth paying to have repairs extended to Lower Cross Street.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

Click here to read: Larne public realm scheme on time

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