Frew welcomes NI Water’s decision to delay Ballycastle works until after August’s Ould Lammas Fair

Businesses relieved as infrastructure work is postponed until after peak tourism season and Ould Lammas Fair

Paul Frew MLA has welcomed a “sensible decision” by NI Water to postpone planned works in Ballycastle until after the end of August, following concerns from local businesses about disruption during the town’s peak tourism period and in the lead-up to the Ould Lammas Fair.

The North Antrim DUP MLA praised the collaboration between NI Water, DfI Roads, and the developer of the new shared education campus in Ballycastle, noting that the original plans to begin pipelaying on Monday 4th August sparked concern among local traders.

“I have received several complaints from businesses and constituents who were concerned about the works that was to commence today the 4th August and that even with works halted over the 23rd to 26th August the plant stationed there, and construction works would still mean disruption and barriers to trade,” Mr Frew said.

He also credited DUP Councillor Bill Kennedy, who met with local traders last week and escalated the issue.

“We realise that this is important work, not least for the education facilities and there is pressure on the developer regarding time restraints, but I want to once again thank everyone involved for being able to accommodate this request,” Mr Frew added.

NI Water: Stakeholder concerns heard

In a statement, NI Water confirmed that the work – which forms part of a wider project supporting a new shared education campus – has been postponed until September, following discussions with DfI Roads, the developer, and representatives from Ballycastle’s business community.

“The work had been originally programmed to get underway in August so that our contractor could complete the installation of the necessary infrastructure within the statutory timeframe stipulated for new developer connections and for the most part, during the school holidays,” a spokesperson for NI Water said.

“While the intention was never to carry out work during the Ould Lammas Fair, NI Water has listened to the concerns expressed by local stakeholders and on this occasion, with the support of our contractor, DfI Roads and the shared campus developer, we are in a position to postpone the work until after the end of August.”

NI Water said it will provide an update when the installation of the infrastructure has been reprogrammed.

Community praised for quick resolution

The decision has been widely welcomed by the local business community, many of whom rely on the Ould Lammas Fair and summer footfall for a significant portion of their annual trade.

Ballycastle’s annual fair, held in late August, is one of Northern Ireland’s oldest and most popular traditional events.