East Antrim reservoir reopens after temporary closure

The Newtownabbey Times reported yesterday how the site had been closed due to health and safety concerns after large numbers of visitors gathered at the facility over recent days to “enjoy the snowfall.”

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Providing an update to this newspaper today (Wednesday), a spokesperson for Northern Ireland Water said: ““NI Water made a decision to temporarily close Killylane Reservoir to visitors due to adverse weather conditions.

“While we were delighted to see the public enjoying the reservoir, unfortunately the lying snow was proving too tempting to some who brought sledges and other items to go down the slopes at speed.

“While this may seem like harmless fun, it is a dangerous activity. There are rocks at the bottom of the slope that are there to prevent vehicles accessing the slopes.

“The activities seen over recent days could also be detrimental to the surface and structure of the reservoir embankment itself.”

The spokesperson added: “While we welcome and encourage people to access many of our sites throughout Northern Ireland, we need everyone to be careful and respect the area they are visiting.

“They are working sites that often have very cold water and are not designed for leisure activities other than walking or those identified with NI Water’s Recreation and Access Policy.

“Killylane will reopen today, (January 27). The only other site that was closed due to weather conditions was Silent Valley and this will reopen today as well.”

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