Antrim Boardwalk extension plan is put on hold, just days ahead of flooding

PLANS to extend the boardwalk along the Six Mile Water in Antrim have been shelved - ironically just days before the existing walkway was submerged as heavy rain caused the river to burst its banks, leading to flooding in several area of the town.

As recently as May, Bridge Street was closed as investigative ground tests for the potential extension of the boardwalk were carried out.

There were plans to extend the structure by another 110m, improving access to the High Street and linking to the Castle Gardens and providing a longer cycling and walking route.

The plans, approved by the Planning Committee of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in 2018, became part of the £1.2 million Leveling Up funding granted to the council by the Government last year.

The existing stretch of boardwalk was closed off and underwent extensive renovation which lasted for over a year, finally reopening in 2023, with improved access to riverfront premises, including the old Wellworths building, which is currently being converted into an ‘workspace hub’ as part of the Levelling Up funding plans.

However last week, five years after that permission was granted, the project was discussed ‘in committee’ - meaning the debate took place out of earshot of the Press and public - but the redacted minutes show that the scheme ‘will not progress’. In November 2022 the council approved a consultant design team to take the scheme forward, but planning permission expired in October of this year.

A report before the meeting last week said: “Following the appointment of the council’s consultant design team a review of the initial design was undertaken and through detailed investigation a range of issues were identified.

“Upon review of the original planning application and design (developed by Antrim Towns Development Company) several properties that back onto the river, own land to the edge of the river bank.

“The original approved design straddled the riverbank and therefore would require agreement from these landowners if it were to be progressed. In addition, it was also identified that the link area between the boardwalk and the triangular land opposite Ulster Bar Corner was also privately owned and forms part of resident properties, which in turn prevents the two areas being linked together. Legal agreements would be required to overcome both of these issues.”

There were also issues with a sewer pipe. The report said: “Following investigations from service maps and surveys it had been established that a large NI Water sewer runs along the river bank within the scheme which had secured planning approval.

“Site investigations also highlighted ‘made’ ground to a depth of 2m and adjacent walls with cracks being visible. Construction of the boardwalk in this location would create an unacceptably high risk of damage to the public sewer.

“To mitigate this risk, the boardwalk would have to be moved out from the river bank, i.e. not attached to it but rather secured into the riverbed.”

DFI Rivers also indicated that the height must be compliant with the 1 in 100 year flood event, plus a freeboard of 600mm.

“This would in effect raise the boardwalk by two metres above the current approved level. This would create issues as access under the bridge would not be achievable and the height of the ‘raised’ boardwalk in relation to residents’ gardens particularly at Riverside could be problematic.”

There was also an issue with for invasive species. The report added: “Any works along the riverbank would require further removal and management strategies to be implemented before works could take place in the areas where these have been identified.”

In conclusion, the report said that, ‘since initiation, this project had encountered a complex range of issues, including stakeholder buy in, land ownership, technical design, construction methods and ecology issues’.

“In light of the planning expiry date of 16 October 2023 an enabling works package was developed which proposed two options; an entry point and initial works below Riverside or an entry point to the rear of 3 High Street Antrim (John Knox Carpets) in order to create a new egress onto High Street opposite Ulster Bar Corner.

“Taking into account the wider issues identified with the achievement of the overall scheme, namely that the current planning approval cannot be implemented and that a detailed redesign is unlikely to achieve a workable solution and would also be the subject of a fresh planning application, this enabling work was not progressed.

“A preliminary discussion had taken place with representatives from the Levelling Up Fund to explore de-scoping this element of the scheme which was due to be completed in March 2024 and any implications that this may have on the approved funding award.

Moved by Antrim Town DUP Alderman John Smyth and seconded by party colleague Paul Dunlop, it was resolved that the Antrim boardwalk extension project ‘is not progressed at this time and that it is de-scoped from the Antrim LUF project via a Project Adjustment Request’.

John Smyth, Antrim Town DUP councillor said that the decision was vindicated when, just two days later, the existing boardwalk was inundated with floodwater.

“The initial plans were good but issues cropped up which made the extension less of an attractive plan,” he said.

“The flooding we saw on Tuesday night into Wednesday proves that the less obstructions there are in the way of the water, the better.

“Had construction of the extension already been underway last week, it wouldn’t bear thinking about.

“Decisions now have to be made in terms of redeploying the money, which I think will be better spent on other ways to regenerate the town centre.”

Alliance councillor Neil Kelly said: “Due to ongoing and some new issues that have been identified, I fully support the decision taken at the October council meeting that the Antrim Boardwalk extension project is not progressed at this time and that it is de-scoped from the Antrim Levelling Up Fund project.

“At one time it may have been worth doing but due to the additional environmental and infrastructure issues including flooding and impact on residents I feel the right decision has been made.”