2024:615 - Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme, Down

As part of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme (BTFAS) it is proposed to extend the towpath from Ravenhill Reach towards Albert Bridge along the River Lagan. An archaeological programme of works was requested as condition of the Marine Licence ML2023015 and Dredging Licence ML2023016.

The desk top survey indicated that there are no known archaeological features within the project area. Early editions of the OS maps indicate that the project area was not developed. Inspection of the dredging operation identified a number of timbers, roughly hewn tree trunks, which were imbedded in the marl which were identified as possibly the remains of a quay or wharf, although no evidence of a superstructure now survives.

Towards the Albert Bridge end of the project, the level at which the marl was reached dropped dramatically for a distance of approximately 20m which indicated a possible berth for a ship or boat alongside the quay wall adjacent to warehouses. Apart from the timbers, no artefacts were retrieved from the sleech that was dredged from the river bed.