Ballyclare scheme contractors praised

Members of the Six Mile Water Trust have praised the contractors.

Members of a Co Antrim environmental conservation group have praised the engineers behind the Ballyclare West bypass project for protecting the water course of the Six Mile Water during the first phase of works.

In a statement issued to the Times, Jim Gregg of the Six Mile Water Trust, said: “Having had early engagement with RPS the design consultants, issues of bridge impacts such as lighting, noise and storm drainage were raised along with the vital measures to be taken in relation to the construction phase and the risk of pollution.

“The site contractors DUO plc under the guidance of Philip, Liam and Alan have done an excellent job in protecting the water course during this first phase with settlement ponds, sandbags/bales and sump pumps to prevent pollution to the river.

“To facilitate the bridge, some instream work was required however with further discussion with DUO and Warren Campbell of DAERA fisheries and Andrew Moore of the Ballynure Angling Club it was suggested that there was an opportunity to improve the in stream habitat with ‘D’ deflector groynes creating a natural scour pool with additional cobble and spawning gravels to vastly improve this section of river.

“Having machinery on site along with natural stone that had been excavated in the construction work providing on site material and the expertise to carry it out.