'˜Major road disruption' for residents in Carrick

Work is due to begin at the end of February to replace water mains in the area.

The programme will take approximately six to eight weeks to complete, according to NI Water.

A separate replacement scheme is also planned for the North Road area in May, lasting until late August.

“Our contractor will be liaising with local schools, businesses and Translink. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to an absolute minimum throughout this process,” a spokesperson for NI Water said.

However, there are concerns that the Greenisland closure will impact on the same residents who experienced long-term disruption during the A2 Shore Road upgrade.

East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson, who lives in the area, said: “The road will be closed in sections and there will be residential access, but the replacement works will cause major disruptions during the weekdays for people attending work and school.

“Two primary schools in the area will be heavily affected by these works, as well as local businesses.

“The road was closed a number of times during the work on the A2 Shore Road. There was disruption to locals, but it was not of as high a level as the road was closed at the weekends, rather than during the week.

“These future works are going to cause problems in the community.”

Meanwhile, the North Road closure will impact on those travelling to Carrickfergus College and Carrick Grammar, Mr Dickson claimed.

“It is to stretch from the B90 on the top road and continue down to Northlands/Prince Andrew Way,” he added. “Again, the road will be closed in sections with residential access.”

Expressing concern that residents were notified of the closures at “short notice”, the Alliance representative added: “The works are to take a long time, which will disrupt the residents of both areas.”