IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Orangefield Park, BELFAST, BT5 6BY

The Knock River, after very heavy rain for most of today, looking downstream from the Orangefield Lane footbridge. The effects of heavy rain will continue to be obvious until the entire Connswater Greenway drainage/flood prevention scheme has been completed.

The present course of the Knock River, looking downstream at Orangefield Lane/Orangefield Park. The works on the left are part of the flood alleviation scheme which includes the diversion of the river to a new course, slightly further south, through what was previously grass. The affected stretch is (approximately) from Sandhill Park to here.

The diverted Knock River, on its new course, looking downstream from the new footbridge Image

The realigned Knock River, looking downstream, from the bridge near Orangefield Lane. Quite a change from February 2014 Image

The old course of the Knock River, now replaced by this Image (just out of picture to the left). There is a large puddle (complete with mallard) in the foreground – possibly caused by the heavy rain this week.

The new bridge, across the Knock River Image, at Orangefield Lane – part of the Connswater Greenway flood alleviation scheme in this area.

The view, across the new footbridge, towards Orangefield Lane. The Knock River now flows under it - from right to left. In the words of the official website: “Orangefield Park is about to be transformed, with work to divert the Knock River along a new channel, to take place today - Tuesday 28th January 2014. The River, which currently flows along the edge of the park, adjacent to many properties have been affected by flooding in the past, will be diverted into the heart of the park as a key component of the flood alleviation element of an integrated project under way in the area . . . . . Work in the park began last May 2013, with 40,000 tonnes of soil being moved to create the new river channel and naturalised flood plain. The permanent diversion of the river, along with other flood defences, means that there will soon be a high level of flood protection for the properties situated adjacent to the river, including Orangefield Park, Orangefield Green and Sandhill Park”. Image shows the same view in December 2011 long before work started on the scheme.

The footbridge, across the new course of the Knock River, which replaced this one Image (December 2011). It can also be seen, during construction, in Image (October 2013). The fencing has now been removed allowing access to the riverbank but there is still some landscaping to be done.

The Knock River, flowing from left to right, at this footbridge Image Despite the recent heavy rain Image it was at a low level thanks to the recent flood alleviation works Image (November 2012) and Image (October 2013).

The new bridge, across the Knock River Image, at Orangefield Lane – part of the Connswater Greenway flood alleviation scheme in this area. This is the entrance from Orangefield Lane (background) to the park and has been closed for several weeks during the work. At least one dog-walker arrived, during my visit, apparently unaware of the closure.