Resurfacing works look set to be carried out at Birthwood Manor, near the Birches, after a more than 15 years wait.
The defective surface has been the cause of great frustration by the residents. It has been the subject of a long running dispute over resurfacing and the upgrade of the sewers.
According to local MP Carla Lockhart – who said work was now imminent – this was a site which was taken into the bank’s management during the difficult years in the housing crash.
She said the properties are beautiful family homes for many long-term residents.
But the surface of the development was never completed, with the final wearing course and the sewers and pumping station remaining incomplete.
Now, it would appear, all that is about to change, as the Upper Bann MP has received confirmation from the Department for Infrastructure that a scheme is due to start in around two weeks time and following the completion of resurfacing along Portadown’s Northway.
“This was a personal priority of mine and I am absolutely delighted to have assisted in getting this over the line and receiving this confirmation today,” said the DUP representative.
“The history of this site is mirrored throughout Northern Ireland and the unfinished nature is because of the major housing crash in the early 2000s. I have been working with the bank, DfI, NI Water and the developer in a bid to have this area resurfaced.
“Having made significant progress last year with the joining of bonds I was disappointed in recent months to have been informed that this could no longer happen and that only half of the site would be resurfaced. I obviously said this wasn’t acceptable and lobbied hard for this not to be the case and for DFI to complete the entire site.
“”I am pleased that they have stepped up and I can confirm that the whole site will be resurfaced and brought up to adoption standards,
“I am pleased that we will not have the problem of raised manholes, rough surfaces and potholes in the future however, there remains an outstanding issue with pumping station which I am continuing to work on with NIW and the developer.
“When I became an MLA and during my time as MP I made this a priority and genuinely want to thank residents for their patience and DfI for their efforts in this regard. I look forward to seeing the works commence in the very near future.”
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