Seven-month wait nearing an end as permanent repairs progress at Ballymena health centre

Ballymena Health and Care Centre

Scaffolding that has surrounded Ballymena Health and Care Centre for around seven months is expected to be soon removed as work continues to permanently resolve problems with the building’s roof capping system.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust confirmed the timetable to Love Ballymena after local people questioned how long the prominent structure would remain around the multimillion-pound healthcare facility off Cushendall Road.

Storm damage led to detailed inspections

The scaffolding was erected in January after the centre sustained damage during Storm Chandra, which arrived with an amber weather warning on 26 January.

In February, the Northern Trust told Love Ballymena: “The Northern Trust can confirm that scaffolding has been erected around Ballymena Health and Care Centre to facilitate essential maintenance and building inspections following recent storms.”

It has remained in place since, while detailed investigations were carried out on the roof capping system and masonry at the upper levels of the building.

The Trust has now confirmed that the inspections identified ongoing concerns with the roof capping system which require a permanent solution.

Removal expected by end of September

Ballymena Health and Care Centre

A spokesperson for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust told Love Ballymena:

“The scaffolding at Ballymena Health and Social Care Centre was erected to enable detailed investigations of the roof capping system and high-level masonry following storm damage earlier in the year.

“There have been ongoing concerns with the roof capping system, which now require a permanent resolution.

“Remedial works are progressing on site and the scaffolding is expected to be removed by the end of September.”

The confirmation provides the clearest timetable yet for the removal of the scaffolding, although the Trust’s wording indicates that the end-of-September date remains an expectation dependent on the remedial work progressing as planned.