Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard recently visited East Belfast to view progress on a £12 million Flood Alleviation scheme in the area.
269 properties adjacent to Orangefield Park and Victoria Park have already benefited from upgrading works to provide an increased level of flood protection, costing around £1.7 million.
Other parts of the scheme are ongoing and almost 1,700 properties will benefit when the works are complete in early 2017.
Commenting as he viewed work on the new flood defenses, Minister Hazzard said: “Protecting homes from flooding is a key priority and this significant £12 million investment will alleviate the impact of flooding to nearly 1,700 homes in this area.‘’
Significant parts of the Flood Alleviation scheme works are part of the Connswater Community Greenway Project developed by EastSide Partnership, currently being delivered by Belfast City Council.
Phase 2 of the flood alleviation works to the lower reaches of the Loop River, Knock River and the Connswater are currently being delivered by Belfast City Council.
The £7 million scheme will provide 1,264 properties with the national standard of flood protection against a 1 in 200 year tidal event and also 126 properties with the national standard of flood protection against a 1 in 100 fluvial event. The scheme is due to complete in 2017.
Construction of further flood alleviation works are ongoing in the Clara / Sandhill areas of East Belfast.
Completion of the works (apart from the Ladas Way Works) is anticipated for late autumn 2016 at a cost in the region of £4.5 million.
When completed, the scheme will provide 80 properties with the national standard of flood protection against a 1 in 100 year fluvial event.