A £33m tidal flood alleviation scheme, which will provide over 3,000 Belfast homes and businesses with enhanced protection from tidal flooding, has successfully been completed.

The Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation scheme involved the design and construction of flood defences (typically one metre high) along approximately 8.5km of the River Lagan from Stranmillis Weir to Belfast Harbour. Charles Brand was the contractor for the project.

It is currently estimated that significant tidal flooding would affect over 2km2 of Belfast city, including local residential areas, parts of the commercial city centre and major infrastructure.

This significant investment from the Department for Infrastructure will act as a "major boost" for future generations, according to Minister Liz Kimmins.

While visiting the scheme, the Minister said: "Completion of this project means the city will be better prepared for future tidal flooding events, safeguarding both people and infrastructure whilst also promoting long term resilience. We are already experiencing a change in our weather with increasingly severe storms and the design of these flood defences takes into account climate change projections to 2080. "This work is part of an ongoing programme in flood risk management. Significant investment is required to provide vital new infrastructure such as the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme but also to upgrade existing flood defences across the North and address years of historic under-investment in this area."

The Minister concluded: "I would also like to commend the team who have designed the defences to integrate with their surroundings. This vital work contributes to protecting a thriving city where people want to live and work, to visit and invest - both now and in the future."

Welcoming completion of the scheme, Gerard Rice, Director of Service for Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group (LORAG), added: "LORAG welcome the completion of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme and related mitigations. These offer the neighbourhood a significant long-term risk reduction from tidal flooding and these works should greatly reduce the impact should such a risk be realised for their homes and businesses. LORAG commend the contractor Charles Brand for their considerable efforts made during the construction to reduce the impact that such extensive works had on the community."

For more information about this and other Flood Alleviation Schemes throughout Northern Ireland, visit: DfI Rivers – Flood Alleviation Schemes.