Contractor Morgan Est Farrans JV has scooped a prestigious Gold Considerate Constructors Award in recognition of their work on the Belfast Sewers Project.

A benchmark for industry standards, the award acknowledges the efforts made from the outset to ensure that the project team were 'considerate' in their approach and that the project did not unduly affect the lives of local residents and businesses.

Out of 7,000 eligible sites across the UK, the Belfast Sewers Project and Morgan Est Farrans JV were one of only two companies from Northern Ireland to win a Gold Award.

Bill Gowdy, NI Water Project Sponsor said: "Morgan Est Farrans JV adopted an extremely proactive approach from the initial phase of development. Meetings were arranged with the local community to explain the extent of the work, cycle paths were re-routed around the works and car-parking permits issued to residents to minimise disruption and accommodate daily routine.

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"In addition, an excellent environmental policy was implemented, whereby waste was recycled on site, noise continually monitored, materials sourced locally and a full ecological survey carried out."

John McReynolds, Morgan Est Farrans, said: "Public safety and traffic management was also paramount and Morgan Est Farrans JV were flexible in altering routes and the size of the site compound to suit the needs of the public."

The Belfast Sewers Project represents a £120m investment by NI Water, and involves the upgrading of existing sewer networks and the construction of a large diameter drainage tunnel to increase stormwater capacity.

The overall aim of the project is to improve water quality in the River Lagan and reduce the flooding risk within the inner city. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2010.

(PR/KMcA)