Construction Complete at £2m Portaferry Public Realm Scheme

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, together with representatives from the Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure, Portaferry Steering Group, AECOM and Northstone, visited Portaferry yesterday (Wednesday 30 October) where Ards and North Down Borough Council announced the successful completion of the final construction phase of the £2m Portaferry Public Realm Scheme.

Construction started on the ambitious project in October 2023 and has been successfully completed within one year. The £2m investment has helped to reinvigorate the market town of Portaferry and includes a revitalised Market Square that is now available for community use and events.

The Scheme encompassed Market Square, Castle Street, Ferry Street, High Street and Meeting House Street, and included the resurfacing and widening of footpaths, offering better pedestrian connectivity, as well as improved street lighting, additional street furniture, planting and signage.

It was funded under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme (CRSSRP) with a contribution from Ards and North Down Borough Council. The CRSSRP is a collaborative approach, with contributions from the Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure, and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, said: "The Portaferry Public Realm Scheme successfully established collaborative working between Ards and North Down Borough Council, central government departments and local community stakeholders. The Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, combined with a contribution from the Council, provided the funding for this £2m scheme. It is a fabulous upgrade for Portaferry that will help regenerate the village and will benefit residents, businesses and visitors to the area."

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: "I am very pleased that my Department was able to contribute funding towards the Portaferry Public Realm Scheme through the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration programme. The transformational work undertaken will have many positive health and wellbeing impacts for local rural residents and visitors as well as economic benefits for businesses in the village. This completed scheme in Portaferry will go a long way to building a strong, sustainable and diverse rural community which is a key priority for my Department". 

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, said: "I am really pleased to see the completion of this public realm project. It has genuinely transformed the centre of Portaferry and shows what fantastic results can be gained through collaborative working, both across the executive Departments and with our colleagues in Ards and North Down Borough Council. I am aware of the considerable work that has gone into delivering these results for the people of Portaferry and the wider peninsula, and I would also like to thank the design team, Aecom, and the contractor, Northstone for working so well in partnership with my department to see this project delivered so successfully."

The Scheme also helped to support the local community throughout the construction phase with the donation of wood to Portaferry Men's Shed and through educational visits for schoolchildren. The Men's Shed was grateful recipients of the wooden crates that were used to transport materials to Portaferry, with the group creating a variety of useful products using the donated crates.

Portaferry is located at the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula. It has a population of almost 3,000 people and is a popular destination for tourists with attractions such as Portaferry Castle, Exploris Aquarium, Nugent's Wood, Portico and a small marina. There is a strong fishing tradition in the town and surrounding area.