Project Updates
January 2023
GRAHAM will be carrying out engineering works on behalf of Translink in the Shore Road area. As experienced construction contractors, GRAHAM will be working closely with Translink to ensure we minimise the overall local impact of these works.
The works will involve the construction of a new retaining wall to improve the stability of the railway cutting slope in a limited area between Loughshore Manor and Whitehouse Park. In addition, the installation of a concrete capping layer to the existing abutment at this location where the disused overbridge structure was demolished, is also being carried out. Construction works will commence on 3rd January 2023 with a crane to be set up within lands at No. 309 – 311 Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 9QQ. The works are planned to be fully completed by 24th February 2023.
To avoid interruption to daily train services, these essential works are being completed during night-time shifts, with the key slope excavation works to be undertaken during a planned line closure on Sunday 8th January 2023. We will work to complete the project as efficiently as possible and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum to reduce any inconvenience caused.
Should you have any queries related to these works, please do not hesitate to contact the GRAHAM team on 0121 362 4715 or at civilscustomerrelations@graham.co.uk.
Autumn 2022
The majority of the programme work has now been successfully completed. This involved successful closures in October 2021 and Christmas 2021 and night-time working over the last year.
The two compound sites at Shore Road, between Loughshore Manor and Whitehouse Park has been fully demobilised. The lands adjacent to the Northern Regional College are in the process of being demobilised.
No disruptive works associated with this project will take place for the rest of this year with some limited finishing works required in January 2023. We will be writing out to any residents in the vicinity of those works with further information early next year.
Thank you for continued patience of local residents and wider community. We greatly appreciated it as we work to complete the final stage of this essential infrastructure project.
Working with the Community
We have engaged significantly with the local community and elected representatives to explain how the works will be carried out and what to expect.
We are delighted to have sponsored biodiversity/environmental projects at six local primary schools- Rathcoole PS, Kings Park PS, St James’ PS, Whitehouse PS, Whiteabbey PS and Abbotts Cross PS.
The projects being supported include tree planting, developing a wild garden, improving outdoor learning areas, encouraging wildlife and a woodland trail.
Our safety bus has also visited a number of schools in the area to relay important safety messages to young people as well as explaining how public transport can make a huge difference in tackling air quality and climate change.
Through the project sponsorship fund, we have also worked with Whiteabbey Community Group on a new community notice board with a history of the near by Bleach Green Viaducts and park benches outside the community centre on Glenville Road.
Our works and compound site were in close proximity to the Northern Regional College in Whiteabbey. Alongside our contractor Babcock, we were therefore delighted to leave a lasting legacy for their students through utilising surplus track panels to construct a new training area.
This will be used by the college to give students practical experience in rail engineering, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the NRC into the future.
Project Webinars
If you missed our webinar presentation with the project team on 14 December 2021, you could still catch the recording.
Watch our webinar from 14 December on youtube
If you missed our webinar presentation with the project team on 17 June 2021, you could still catch the recording.