Increased Flood Protection As Three Belfast Culvert Repair Schemes Are Completed
22 July 2010
Three DARD Rivers Agency culvert repair schemes, totalling more than £1million, have been completed in the greater Belfast area.
These schemes, which have been carried out on underground watercourses along the Lansdowne Road in North Belfast, Downshire Park in East Belfast and in the Ferndene area of Dundonald, will help protect the surrounding areas from flooding problems previously experienced when water escaped during periods of heavy rain.
Mr Pat Aldridge, Rivers Agency Engineering Director said:
“We have undertaken work to improve the drainage infrastructure by repairing these defective culverts. Properties in the vicinity of the three sites, which previously were at risk from flooding from the underground streams, will now benefit from improved protection.
“As the works were in urban areas, close to housing and along access roads, a number of essential road closures and complex access arrangements were necessary to allow machinery and equipment to carry out the repair works. This required close co-operation with residents, councils and other service authorities and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local communities for their patience and support throughout.”
Rivers Agency manages a 340 kilometre network of underground watercourse culverts throughout Northern Ireland. In2009 it carried out similar repairs to defective culverts in Dromore,Moneymore, Coalisland and Belfast helping reduce the risk of flooding. To ensure that the culvert network continues to protect people and property from flooding the Agency has a rolling programme of similar repair work across Northern Ireland.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Rivers Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. It is the statutory drainage and flood defence authority for Northern Ireland.
- All media enquiries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
