Children from two Belfast primary schools had a unique preview of one of Northern Ireland Water’s major pipelines under construction when they visited the site of the new Cross Town Main Extension currently being delivered by Lagan Construction.

Harding Memorial PS & Edmund Rice PS 'Time to Read' Visit to the Cross Town Main Scheme

The pupils are working with Lagan Contruction as part of the ‘Time to Read’ programme which helps young people improve their literacy skills. The business is among the many Northern Ireland organisations to encourage employees to volunteer to help children get to grips with reading.

In line with its commitment to educating young people about the wider world of work, Lagan Construction invited the children from Harding Memorial Primary School and Edmund Rice Primary School to see at first hand how the new pipeline at Old Milltown Road is progressing.

Northern Ireland Water’s £2.5 million project will see the construction of a 2.8km trunk main from Barnetts Park to Purdysburn to reinforce the link from Dunore Water Treatment Works.

The pupils were accompanied on the visit by their teachers, Lagan Construction ‘Time to Read’ volunteers Nicola McDermott and Karen Dilworth as well as Catriona Daly, John Johnston and Hugh Martin McAlary, also of Lagan Construction.

Martin Kearney (Safety Officer) delivers Safety Induction

The ’Time to Read’ initiative from Business in the Community operates in 103 schools across Northern Ireland thanks to time given by 350 employee volunteers. Since 1999, it has engaged 3,500 children during more than 53,000 hours (at a value of £1.4 million) and has provided £130,000 worth of reading resources to schools.