Councillor Cadogan Enright who represents that Lecale Coast and Downpatrick Electoral area has welcomed todays announcement that Northern Ireland Water is finally proposing to undertake a £2.5 million programme of work to upgrade Ardglass Wastewater as part of its capital projects programme.
Councillor Enright said, “the delays in this project have damaged tourism in Ardglass and left waters off Ballyhornan in a deplorable state. The non-availability of sewage systems have prevented normal development of towns and villages along the Lecale Coast.”
“The two main causes of concern are the sewage works at Ardtole on the outskirts of Ardglass on the Western end of the Sheepland Road, and the discharge at Gunns Island off Ballyhornan at the other end of the Sheepland Area Special Scientific Interest. Both these discharge effluent, that is illegal under EU law, into our local Marine Reserve.” Pointed out Cllr Cadogan Enright.
The Ardtole Treatment Works is located off the Sheepland Road on the outskirts of Ardglass village. Following the recent successful procurement of lands and completion of assessment, the contract for the project has now been awarded and work is due to start on site in mid-April. Ahead of project commencement, an informal presentation will be made on the project by NI Water is carrying out on Friday 22nd at 11am in Ardglass Golf Club.
“I intend to be at the presentation both to support the project as vital to the future of Ardglass. But I will also attend as a member of the Ballyhornan Task Force to ensure that the piping of waste from Ballyhornan and Chapeltown is included in this project as we have been previously promised. This is an opportunity to clean up our water from Coney Island all the way up to Killard Point” concluded Cllr Cadogan Enright