Temporary closure at Woodburn due to essential work

NI Water issued the update in response to concern locally about access to the location.

One dog walker contacted the Carrick Times last week to say that access points to the reservoir in the vicinity of Woodlands Presbyterian Church had been closed off recently.

However, a spokesperson for NI Water indicated this was part of a planned programme of works.

“NI Water can confirm that, due to ongoing work at Woodburn reservoir near Carrickfergus, the entrance to a car park on land owned by NI Water has been temporarily closed off,” a spokesperson said.

“This is intended to limit access to the site for health and safety reasons while the necessary upgrade work continues.

“The upgrade work at Woodburn is scheduled to be completed before Christmas 2013.”

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, which has responsibility for fishing rights, drew attention to earlier advice about the scheme.

It pointed out that water levels would be lowered in several reservoirs to allow essential maintenance. Fisheries would be closed to anglers during this work, possibly for up to a year.

The following was the provisional timetable for works starting, though it was pointed out this could be subject to change:

Middle South Woodburn, March 2013 to December 2013,

Portavoe Reservoir, November 2013 to March 2014,

Lower South Woodburn, August 2014 to November 2014,

Copeland, April 2014 to June 2014,

Lough Mourne, April 2014 to June 2014,

Upper South Woodburn, August 2013 to December 2013,

North Woodburn, August 2014 to November 2014.