Upgrade planned for Dundrum Castle

Upgrade planned for Dundrum Castle

8 April 2015

WORK to enhance visitor facilities at Dundrum’s historic castle has taken an important step forward with confirmation that two key approaches are in line for a major upgrade.

Proposed designs to upgrade and widen McMinn’s Lane and Castle Hill Road have been drawn up and been given the seal of approval by the Environment Agency and Transport NI, while new LED floodlighting to light up the castle at night is to be trialled.

The Environment Agency has drawn up ambitious proposals to provide a new visitor centre, improved car parking and floodlighting at the village castle.

Councillor Patrick Clarke, who has previously highlighted the need for Castle Hill Road to be adopted and upgraded to cater for the expected increase in visitor numbers, is pleased with the progress being made to make one of the district’s best tourist attractions even better.

He has been informed the proposed upgrade involves replacing a section of McMinn’s Lane between Castle View and the Castle Hill Road with a seven metre wide single carriageway, complete with a footpath and street lighting.

“The Environment Agency also plans to widen a section of the Castle Hill Road to six metres which includes the addition of new bus lay-by and footpaths. However, the work depends on the acquisition of land not currently under the government department’s control,” explained Councillor Clarke. “The Agency is currently engaged in negotiations with the landowner.”

He added: “Draft designs have been produced for various locations for the visitor facility which the Department of Environment (DoE) is currently reviewing, while the Environment Agency is currently assessing the ramifications of each proposal, including location and any archaeological and visual impacts.

“I am pleased the DoE and Environment Agency are continuing to progress plans to make Dundrum Castle a built heritage tourism attraction. Funds are already in place for the visitor centre, floodlighting and the proposed upgrade and adoption of the Castle Hill Road.”