Disruption warning over work to flats in Dunmurry

The health and safety measures, which will cost 697,000 and will take five months to complete, involve installation of a smoke ventilation system at Ferndale, Parkdale, Riverdale, Coolmoyne and Rathmoyne Houses and are part of a 5-year programme to multi-storey flats throughout the South East Area.

Ferndale, Parkdale and Riverdale Houses will also have a lighting in communal areas upgraded and an upgrade carried out to the television aerials.

Housing Executive District Manager Jill England said the contractor will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum and will limit the work to normal working hours.

"I am delighted that health and safety work is underway in these flats. We worked closely with the residents and local politicians in the planning of this scheme, and I am sure that the residents are delighted that this work has now started," she said.

"We also involved the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in the planning of the scheme."

She said that while it will not be nessary to move residents many will experience noise and dust.

"The Housing Executive and the contractor will keep residents fully informed about any issues that may arise during the course of the work ," she said.

Barbara Horner of the Dales Community Association said that residents are so far pleased with the progress.

"The workmen have left people's homes clean and tidy and they have reduced the amount of disturbance while they are carrying out the work to each flat," she said. "The contractor is working with the residents to try to fit in with their arrangements. We are looking forward to the completion of the work."