Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has announced that works to the value of £2.7m will begin this month on the next stage of a planned flood alleviation scheme in East Belfast.

The Minister also confirmed that further flood alleviation works, which includes upgrading of the sea defences at Sydenham, will commence this summer as scheduled.

Minister O'Neill, who has responsibility for the Rivers Agency, said: "The New Year coastal storms, as well as flooding in recent years have reinforced the need for this vital work and I am pleased that the next stage of these much needed flood alleviation works is getting underway."

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These £2.7m works for the Castlereagh Road, Ladas Way, Grand Parade, Clara Park, and Montgomery Road areas are part of the wider £11m East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme which will provide enhanced protection from sea and river flooding for some 1,700 properties.

Major elements of this scheme have been integrated into the wider Connswater Community Greenway Project for East Belfast, which will see a new 9km linear park created, following the course of the Connswater, Knock and Loop rivers.

Minister O'Neill continued: "I am pleased with the progress on the flood alleviation works which have been integrated into Phase I of the Greenway Project at Orangefield and Victoria Parks. They are almost complete and I look forward to construction starting in the summer on the final phase of the Greenway Project, which will include sea defences for the Sydenham area.

"I hope this latest development will bring some comfort to residents, businesses and property owners who have been vulnerable to flooding and who have experienced considerable stress as a result of the coastal storms."

This latest stage has been awarded to Fox Building & Civil Engineering Ltd, with construction commencing this month and expected to be complete by the end of 2015.

(CD/JP)