by Gráinne Connolly
The £300,000 improvement works in Dungannon's Market Square will finish as planned tomorrow (Thursday 23rd November) in time for the town's weekend-long Christmas events.
Contractors will have completed the scheme as Mid Ulster District Council prepares to open its Magical Christmas Kingdom, which runs from Friday 24th November to Sunday 26th November.
The 'Kingdom' will feature Santa's grotto, a Christmas fair, a space dedicated to children with traditional fun fair rides and activities, street performers, face painters, balloon modellers, sing-alongs, magic shows and workshops.
The works to the Square have been coordinated by the Council, which, while not responsible for traffic management or roads issues, has worked to resolve problems which arose from the first phase of a public realm scheme in the town in 2012.
Alterations have been made to the junction at Irish Street, as well as a left turn only from Market Square onto Church Street and a change to the Give Way at the entrance from Thomas Street to assist with pedestrian safety.
New and improved pedestrian access around and across the Square will result, together with wider parking bays for ease of customer parking, the addition of a footpath at the Square's car park and additional car parking in the Square when it's not hosting events.
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