The South Belfast park is popular for water sports
A new piece of infrastructure has been approved for the popular Shaw’s Bridge area in South Belfast, to replace an important water sports access point in the park.
Belfast City Council has approved an application by the Stormont Department for Infrastructure for the installation of a new floating pontoon to replace the existing wooden jetty.
It will be at the river bank approximately 150 metres north east of the Shaws Bridge Car Park, BT9. The pontoon will be at an important access point for water sports at Clement Wilson Park.
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The fundamental difference between a jetty and a pontoon is that a pontoon floats and rises and falls with the tide or water level, while a jetty is a rigid structure built on fixed pilings that remains at a constant height regardless of the water level.
The existing wooden jetty at Shaw’s Bridge was closed due to its poor condition. The new infrastructure will take the form of a modular floating pontoon system, secured by two steel locating piles, and connected to the shore via a hinged access gangway and walkway with handrails. Concrete plinths will be installed at the existing ground level on the bank.
Clement Wilson Park is a designated site of local conservation importance. It is an area of parkland and walking trails within the wider designated Lagan Valley Regional Park and Lagan Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, owned by Belfast City Council.
The river Lagan runs through the parkland with a number of community greenways accessible nearby. The site is accessed from the Malone Road.
There were no objections from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency or Department for Infrastructure Rivers. No third representations were received by the council.
The council officer states in the Planning report on the application: “The proposal retains the use as facilities ancillary to water sports as an access point to the waterway. It supports policy positions promoting healthy and active lifestyles and the provision of community infrastructure in the form of leisure facilities.
“The floating pontoon will allow for year-round access to the river due to its nature as not fixed but floating, promoting increased accessibility for users.”
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