New scheme planned for Drumaness dam

New scheme planned for Drumaness dam

10 July 2013

THE picturesque Drumaness dam is to feature heavily in a new environmental improvement scheme.

The Drumaness Community Association has secured funding for the project from the Down Rural Area Partnership (DRAP) and Down Council.

Tenders are being sought from interested firms next month with the scheme expected to take around six weeks to complete and cost in the region of £150,000.

Councillor Anne McAleenan, who is a member of the village’s community group, said the environmental improvement work at the dam must be completed by October so it does not interfere with the fish spawning season.

The range of work is aimed at improving access to the dam and the adjoining Mill Pond and includes dredging the pond, resurfacing a number of access paths and providing new seating and picnic tables.

Councillor McAleenan said she’s delighted that work on the eagerly-awaited project — which the village group has been working on for the past two years — will get underway soon.

She said the Down Council-owned dam is the focal point in Drumaness and its upgrade is at the core of the village’s development plan.

“A lot of the vegetation at the dam is badly overgrown and the proposed improvement scheme will see this being cut back,” explained Councillor McAleenan.

“We also plan to remove silt from the bottom of the dam as part of the plan to restore this scenic part of the village to its former glory.”

Councillor McAleenan said a small island in the centre of the dam is a haven for wildlife and explained this area will also feature in the improvement scheme.

“We also hope that the work at the dam will encourage more people to fish in it. It already is popular, but the improvements will hopefully act as a magnet to attract more anglers,” she continued.

“Paths leading to the dam will be resurfaced and we are all delighted with the progress that is being made. Upgrading the dam is work that’s long overdue.”

Councillor McAleenan said people across Drumaness have been highlighting the need to restore the dam and hopes they will be pleased with the finished scheme. She also hopes the work of the community association may help kick-start other regeneration projects in the Drumaness area.

Councillor McAleenan added: “Once the dam project has been completed, we may then turn our attention to other schemes. In the meantime, the focus is on restoring the dam to show people what a really beautiful part of Drumaness it is.

“We are grateful to DRAP and Down Council for their financial support to help us restore a wonderful community asset in the heart of our village.”