Minister Visits Strabane, Sion Mills and Castlederg

Last week the SDLP in Strabane invited the new Minister of the Environment Mark H. Durkan to Strabane to visit various areas and meet residents. The Minister was shown areas that the SDLP in Strabane believed could be improved with the help of his department. The Minister also met residents and business owners who discussed what they felt could be done to improve the local economy and create employment.

Accompanying the Minister on his visit was West Tyrone SDLP MLA Joe Byrne who said “The SDLP in Strabane believed that with the New Minister being from the North West, this would be a perfect opportunity to invite him to Strabane and visit the surrounding areas. The Minister held a meet and greet in Strabane but also met with residents in Sion Mills and Castlederg.”

“In Sion Mills the Minister toured Herdman’s Mill and met with the local steering group who had concerns over the prospect of an anaerobic Digester being built on the heritage site. The Minister listened to their concerns and assured them that these would be taken into consideration by himself and his department.

“The Minister then visited Castlederg where he met with residents and business owners. One of their main concerns was derelict buildings in the area affecting business and tourism potential. The Minister agreed and said that this was a problem that the Shop Fronts scheme and the Dereliction fund would be aiming to tackle.”

“Apart from where areas could be improved the Minister was also shown the strengths that Strabane has in terms of tourism and business potential. The Minister enjoyed his visit and agreed that Strabane needed help from Stormont to move forward. The Minister ensured that all he had heard from residents and business owners would be taken into consideration when future funding from his department would be made available.”