Archaeological Investigation Work Gets Underway at Bangor Abbey & Castle Park

02 February 2015 14:22

Archaeological Investigation Work is currently underway in the Bangor Abbey and Castle Park area. Depending on archaeological findings, it is anticipated that this work, which is being undertaken by NI Water will continue until March 2015.

This work is part of the overall Bangor sewerage Improvement Scheme, which got underway in November 2013 to upgrade the sewerage infrastructure and key pumping stations in the North Down area. The overall £10 million investment will greatly improve the sewerage infrastructure in the North Down area, bringing major environmental improvements to local watercourses and coastal waters in the area.

David McGrath, NI Water Project Manager said: “As part of the site investigation works for this scheme, an archaeological trial excavation will be conducted to establish if the project will impact upon any buried remains of one of Europe’s most important Early Christian monastic sites; Bangor Abbey. The works now underway are alongside Malachy’s Wall, which is a Scheduled Historic Monument.

“The works will help determine the viability of the proposed route for a major new sewer alongside St. Malachy’s wall, eventually connecting to the proposed newly upgraded Castle Park Pumping Station.

“The Department of the Environment, through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, has granted Scheduled Monument Consent for the archaeological trial excavation of a possible route for a new pipeline within the Scheduled area. A strict working programme has been agreed to ensure there is no negative structural impact upon the remains of Malachy’s Wall. The archaeological works will also be monitored by DOE: NIEA.

“NI Water will do everything we can to ensure that the next phase of sewer laying involves as little disruption to the public as possible. We will work closely with NIEA to determine the best route for the sewer, and would like to thank the local community for their ongoing patience as this work progresses. We are working closely with North Down Borough Council, Transport NI, and will keep the local community updated as work progresses.

“The work is good news for the local area and the environment. The overall scheme, once delivered, will greatly improve the water quality in Ballyholme strand and the surrounding watercourses. The project will also ensure that NI Water complies with NIEA standards and EU Directives for bathing water quality.”