Belfast City Council has confirmed work is now underway at Victoria and Orangefield Parks, with the construction programme for the first phase of the scheme officially beginning yesterday and expected to be completed by Spring 2014.
BSG Civil Engineering Ltd, who are responsible for construction, will be on site in both parks, as work begins on the £35m project.
The scheme will also include parts of the East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Both Victoria and Orangefield Park will remain open during the work, with any disruption to facilities clearly marked on signs within both sites.
Judith Cochrane MLA said: “I am delighted that work is at last underway on what will surely be a worthwhile and positive scheme bringing benefits to all the residents of East Belfast. We are already fortunate within the constituency to boast an attractive network of cycle and walking paths that make up a large part of the Comber Greenway, and this scheme will serve to further enhance the network and encourage people from all over Belfast and beyond to explore the many hidden gems that East Belfast has to offer.
“Flooding has also been a major issue for many residents in recent years and I am delighted that as part of the wider programme of works scheduled, the East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme will also get underway during Phase 1.”
The Connswater Community Greenway/East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme has been developed by East Belfast Partnership and is funded by Belfast City Council, the Big Lottery Fund, the Department for Social Development and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development’s Rivers Agency.
ENDS