Menu
20/09/2010
River Lagan To Be Dredged
Work to ensure Belfast's main river does not become "smelly" again is to begin shortly.
The Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced that the River Lagan will be extensively dredged - cleaning up both the iconic river and creating jobs at the same time.
The £2.8m contract, awarded to local firm Graham Construction, will see dredging on the river for the first time since 1994 - which was as part of work to build the Lagan Weir.
The project will create 28 jobs. It will start mid-September and is due to finish spring 2011.
The work involves thousands of tonnes of silt being removed by diggers and disposed off at an approved location out at sea. The river will be initially closed to navigation for safety reasons during the period of the contract. However, after consultation with river users the works will be completed on a sectional basis with the first section being handed over to river users after six weeks.
Alex Attwood said: "This is a significant boost for river users and local residents. This latest investment follows on the back of the successful refurbishment of the Lagan Weir and represents DSD's continuing commitment to the River Lagan.
"The economic benefits of the regeneration of the Lagan have been well documented and they have been a part of the catalyst for hundreds of millions of pounds of development and regeneration along its banks.
"It is estimated that this project will give full time employment to 28 people and as the work will be carried out by a local contractor it is hoped it will give a boost to the NI construction sector.
"The timing of the dredge is opportune as it is hoped the river’s water quality will also benefit from the end of the Belfast Sewer Project recently completed by NI Water and this combined with the removal of organic silt will further improve the quality of the river."
More details and updates on navigation arrangements, river closures and a noise pollution hotline will be posted on the DSD website on an ongoing basis.
(GK/KMcA)
The Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced that the River Lagan will be extensively dredged - cleaning up both the iconic river and creating jobs at the same time.
The £2.8m contract, awarded to local firm Graham Construction, will see dredging on the river for the first time since 1994 - which was as part of work to build the Lagan Weir.
The project will create 28 jobs. It will start mid-September and is due to finish spring 2011.
The work involves thousands of tonnes of silt being removed by diggers and disposed off at an approved location out at sea. The river will be initially closed to navigation for safety reasons during the period of the contract. However, after consultation with river users the works will be completed on a sectional basis with the first section being handed over to river users after six weeks.
Alex Attwood said: "This is a significant boost for river users and local residents. This latest investment follows on the back of the successful refurbishment of the Lagan Weir and represents DSD's continuing commitment to the River Lagan.
"The economic benefits of the regeneration of the Lagan have been well documented and they have been a part of the catalyst for hundreds of millions of pounds of development and regeneration along its banks.
"It is estimated that this project will give full time employment to 28 people and as the work will be carried out by a local contractor it is hoped it will give a boost to the NI construction sector.
"The timing of the dredge is opportune as it is hoped the river’s water quality will also benefit from the end of the Belfast Sewer Project recently completed by NI Water and this combined with the removal of organic silt will further improve the quality of the river."
More details and updates on navigation arrangements, river closures and a noise pollution hotline will be posted on the DSD website on an ongoing basis.
(GK/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
02 February 2022
£2m Announced For NI's Search And Rescue Teams
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has announced a new £2 million Covid scheme to help support vital search and rescue teams across Northern Ireland.
£2m Announced For NI's Search And Rescue Teams
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has announced a new £2 million Covid scheme to help support vital search and rescue teams across Northern Ireland.
17 September 2019
Body Recovered From River Lagan
Police are investigating after a woman's body was discovered in the River Lagan. The body was found in the Shaw's Bridge area on Monday afternoon, 16 September. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.
Body Recovered From River Lagan
Police are investigating after a woman's body was discovered in the River Lagan. The body was found in the Shaw's Bridge area on Monday afternoon, 16 September. The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course.
28 March 2024
River Lagan Flood Protection Works Underway
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that flood protection refurbishment work on the River Lagan has got underway. The work costing £900k is being carried out by local building contractor Maurice Flynn and Sons who are replacing the gates at the Hilden and Lambeg river control structures on the River Lagan.
River Lagan Flood Protection Works Underway
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that flood protection refurbishment work on the River Lagan has got underway. The work costing £900k is being carried out by local building contractor Maurice Flynn and Sons who are replacing the gates at the Hilden and Lambeg river control structures on the River Lagan.
31 January 2020
'Significant' Munitions Find In River Lagan
A "significant" munitions find has been uncovered as dredging work was carried out on the River Lagan. A security alert was sparked at the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and nearby footbridge in Belfast last night after a number of suspicious objects were discovered in a vessel. ATO were tasked to the scene to remove the objects for forensic examination.
'Significant' Munitions Find In River Lagan
A "significant" munitions find has been uncovered as dredging work was carried out on the River Lagan. A security alert was sparked at the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and nearby footbridge in Belfast last night after a number of suspicious objects were discovered in a vessel. ATO were tasked to the scene to remove the objects for forensic examination.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
