CCG Phase 2 Construction works update
Works on the Connswater Community Greenway move full steam ahead with great progress on multiple sites across East Belfast.
Moving along the Connswater River from the Sydenham Bypass the contractor has piled both sides of the river and has been making steady progress with the installation of a reinforced flood wall. Downstream at the Holywood Arches works continue on the new event space for the C. S. Lewis Square, with the placement of Scottish Whinstone walls and granite paving.
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Above: Scottish Whinston walls - Aslan one of the seven sculptures will look over C.S. Lewis Square from here. Below; Installation of the reinforced flood wall along the Black Path).
In the Avoniel area a piling platform has been installed and piling works have now begun in Bloomfield Industrial Estate, as well as earthworks in Avoniel Park.
In the Hollow the contractor has continued to make good progress with the construction of retaining walls and the beginning of concreting works on the new pathway. The section connecting Orangefield Park to Clarawood, Laburnum and the Braniel nears completion with final concreting and fencing works now finishing and only landscaping works left to complete. It is hoped this section will open Spring 2016.
Elsewhere, Farrans have been installing a Readyrock flood wall at the Belfast Metropolitan College, Montgomery Road. Works in the Loopland area continue with the installation of a haul road, and a piling platform.
On the road sections of the Connswater Community Greenway works continue to progress well along the Cregagh Road, Orby Road and Montgomery Road with granite kerbing and resurfacing works. The contractor has left the Cregagh Road section but will return in early January due to a Christmas embargo.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's (DARD) Rivers Agency are working in partnership with Connswater Community Greenway to deliver elements of the East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme (EBFAS) which will help reduce flooding to 1,700 properties in East Belfast.
A large proportion of the works comprising the Rivers Agency Standalone Flood Alleviation Scheme have been completed. Flood alleviation works are presently concentrated on the Knock River at Sandhill/Clara areas. The existing undersized culvert on the Knock River across Clara Park has been replaced and reinstatement works are presently progressing. Once the road at Clara Park has been fully reinstated it will be opened again to traffic and the temporary bridge over the Knock River at Sandhill will be removed (i.e. in approximately 6-8 weeks time). The construction of the flood defences upstream of Clara Park are also ongoing and are progressing well. The flood defences downstream of Clara Park will progress upon full reinstatement of the carriageway of Clara Park.
Unfortunately, Sandhill Parade will be closed to traffic from the junction of Sandhill Park to the junction with Clara Park commencing Monday 30th November 2015 at 08 00 hrs to Friday 26th February 2016 at 17 00 hrs. The road closure is required in order to undertake flood defence works to the Knock River adjacent Sandhill Parade.
The only flood alleviation works remaining and forming part of the Rivers Agency Standalone scheme will be the culvert upsizing works on the Loop River across Ladas Way. The extent of these works are presently being assessed. The start date for construction has yet to be confirmed.
If you have any questions, queries or comments about works on the Connswater Community Greenway please call Farrans 24hr Customer Care Line on 0800 083 8160. As work is progresses on elements of the East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme Rivers Agency is also engaging with affected communities and public representatives. If you have any enquiries regarding the Rivers Agency’s work please contact Alex Bailie on 028 9025 3355.