Taylors Avenue plans reveal 'joined-up thinking'
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
IN AN example of inter-agency co-operation the long awaited anti-flood measures for parts of Carrickfergus are to be fully integrated into the construction of the health and emergency services complex planned for the Taylors Avenue area of the town, it can be revealed.
The presence of ponds and waterways in the area of the planned complex means the Rivers Agency and NI Water have both been brought onto the steering group for the building project.
Local MLAs David Hilditch and Sean Neeson said the anti-flood work was long overdue and they welcomed the co-operation between different government departments.
Last week the Advertiser revealed that a design team had been appointed to begin preliminary plans for the complex which will include an ambulance station, fire station, health centre and day care centre for the disabled.
Mr Hilditch said he hoped the co-operation would alleviate flooding and bring 'flagship facilities' to Carrick. He said: "It is very important that they are linked up - there has been a long history of flooding in the Joymount area." He said there were too many examples of public bodies not co-operating with each other. "Hopefully this will be a flagship for Carrick," he said.
Sean Neeson said it was important that the Rivers Agency had an input into the project because of the amount of waterways in the area.
He said: "I welcome the fact that they are becoming part of the set up at Taylors Avenue. There has been a need to draw up a major plan to control flooding in the area."
This week the Rivers Agency told the Advertiser the first phase of the installation of anti-flood measures would begin shortly, but that a second phase of the operation would be integrated into the construction of the new health complex.
The Rivers Agency recently carried out a study of the Sullatober Water catchment area to find the cause of flooding in Joymount and other parts of the town. The new anti-flood measures are based on its findings.
A spokesman for the body said the scheme would include the reconstruction of an existing culvert in the Joymount area and its extension to the railway line. A small flood storage area upstream of the railway line would be constructed in the second phase.
The spokesman continued: "Rivers Agency and Northern Ireland Water are jointly progressing a significant scheme to alleviate flood risk within the Joymount area. Construction is planned to commence in autumn 2008.
"As part of the consultation with Carrickfergus Borough Council on the proposed Joymount scheme, the proposed health village and its interaction with the flood alleviation scheme were discussed. Rivers Agency and Northern Ireland Water have consulted with Health Estates (DHSSPS) on the scope of the scheme and interaction of the projects.
“During this initial consultation stage, Rivers Agency have confirmed the two phase approach to the Joymount scheme progressing in the current year in conjunction with NI Water and the second phase being developed in full integration with the proposed health village development."
The spokesman added that Rivers Agency and Northern Ireland Water had joined the Project Steering Group overseeing the Taylors Avenue project to ensure the best use of the available lands and to provide high standards of flood defence.
