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05/09/2006
Government cash boost for city sewers
The government has today awarded a £100 million to upgrade the main sewers in Belfast city centre.
Internationally renowned tunnelling contractor Morgan Est, along with local company Farrans Construction will carry out the work, which will start immediately and should take three years to complete.
The work will involve the construction of a new 10 kilometre tunnel up to four metres in diameter, which will provide the required increased drainage capacity in the sewerage system.
The main tunnel will start at Cromac Street and end at a pumping station at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works, Duncrue Street near the M2.
Chief Executive of Water Service, Katharine Bryan, said: "The £100 million Belfast Sewers (Tunnel) Project, funded through the Reform and Reinvestment Initiative, represents one of the biggest infrastructure investments in the city. It will dramatically improve the current sewerage system and provide Belfast with the modern infrastructure required to cater for the present and future development needs of the city.
"Many of the existing sewers in the Belfast area date from the Victorian era. This massive scheme will significantly improve the water quality in the Lagan and Blackstaff rivers, reduce the risk of flooding in the Belfast area and ensure compliance with stringent European Union environmental standards.”
Ms Bryan continued: "The successful companies have carried out many large scale engineering projects across the world and represent the very best in contracting services. There will be significant logistical challenges for a project of this scale and Water Service and its contractors are committed to minimising disruption and engaging with the local community to keep them fully informed of the progress of the scheme."
"This level of investment is a visible sign of Water Services commitment to improve water and sewerage services. I am confident that Water Service and its contractors will deliver a landmark project that will provide Belfast city with a modern efficient sewerage system for generations to come."
The implementation of this project will result in the closure of a significant number of the existing combined sewer overflows, which will reduce the pollutant load from the sewerage system on the River Lagan and its tributaries by 85% of present levels.
The Project Team to manage the project consists of Water Service, the consulting engineers Atkins and their associates Faithful & Gould and tunnelling consultants and contractors Amec.
(EF/SP)
Internationally renowned tunnelling contractor Morgan Est, along with local company Farrans Construction will carry out the work, which will start immediately and should take three years to complete.
The work will involve the construction of a new 10 kilometre tunnel up to four metres in diameter, which will provide the required increased drainage capacity in the sewerage system.
The main tunnel will start at Cromac Street and end at a pumping station at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works, Duncrue Street near the M2.
Chief Executive of Water Service, Katharine Bryan, said: "The £100 million Belfast Sewers (Tunnel) Project, funded through the Reform and Reinvestment Initiative, represents one of the biggest infrastructure investments in the city. It will dramatically improve the current sewerage system and provide Belfast with the modern infrastructure required to cater for the present and future development needs of the city.
"Many of the existing sewers in the Belfast area date from the Victorian era. This massive scheme will significantly improve the water quality in the Lagan and Blackstaff rivers, reduce the risk of flooding in the Belfast area and ensure compliance with stringent European Union environmental standards.”
Ms Bryan continued: "The successful companies have carried out many large scale engineering projects across the world and represent the very best in contracting services. There will be significant logistical challenges for a project of this scale and Water Service and its contractors are committed to minimising disruption and engaging with the local community to keep them fully informed of the progress of the scheme."
"This level of investment is a visible sign of Water Services commitment to improve water and sewerage services. I am confident that Water Service and its contractors will deliver a landmark project that will provide Belfast city with a modern efficient sewerage system for generations to come."
The implementation of this project will result in the closure of a significant number of the existing combined sewer overflows, which will reduce the pollutant load from the sewerage system on the River Lagan and its tributaries by 85% of present levels.
The Project Team to manage the project consists of Water Service, the consulting engineers Atkins and their associates Faithful & Gould and tunnelling consultants and contractors Amec.
(EF/SP)
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