We are delighted to have been awarded a new contract by client Mid & East Antrim Borough Council to carry out works to construct and upgrade walking trails within Bracknamuckley Forest, located just outside Portglenone.
The purpose of the project is to create a 2.6km network of safe, way marked, off-road community walking trails within Bracknamuckley Forest. This will involve the upgrade of existing Forest Service Northern Ireland access trails. These trails will accommodate a wide range of users and provide for intergenerational use. The multi-use trails will be implemented in a sensitive manner in order to avoid disturbing local wildlife / priority species. A signage and way finding suite of furniture will be included within the project to assist with orientation of visitors. The contract includes allowance for drainage works such as land drains, grading works, slot drains, culverts and swales. The drawings also require a new stepped area including associated hand rails and grading.
The Site:
Bracknamuckley Forest is a small (circa 16 hectares) commercial plantation just north of Portglenone, currently under the management of Forest Service Northern Ireland (FSNI). Refer to existing conditions and site location map drawings. It is bordered by the lower River Bann to the West, the Gortgole Road to the East and farmland to the North and South. There are currently two access points from the Gortgole Road and a canoe step access point from the River Bann. The existing trail network consists of two Forest Service access roads running perpendicular to the road and the river, in addition to unsanctioned walking trails running through the forest and along the river. The ground conditions appear to be relatively good away from the river and drainage ditches. Vegetation cover consists of a mix of relatively mature trees.