NI Water is set to begin a programme of sewer relining works in the Solitude Park area of Banbridge later this month. Solitude Park will remain open throughout the works, with path diversions in place around any working area.

The work, which is aimed at strengthening the local sewer network and reducing the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, is due to get underway on Monday 16th March and will take approximately 10 days to complete.

Traffic management will be required on Rathfriland Street between the hours of 09:30 and 16:30 each day to complete the work as safely as possible and facilitate the positioning of construction machinery.

Speaking about the work and associated traffic management, Robert McLean, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said: “Through the relining and strengthening of existing sewers, this NI Water investment will help the system to work more reliably, reducing the likelihood of blockages while helping to protect the local environment against out-of-sewer flooding.

“The work will be carried out from existing manholes, thereby avoiding the need for extensive excavation. However, to facilitate the machinery required to support these works - including large tankers - the following traffic management will be in place on Rathfriland Street between 09:30 and 16:30 each day.”

Traffic management is as follows:

• Rathfriland Street will be closed to through traffic between Erinvale Terrace and Rathfriland Road/Kenlis Street from Monday 16th March to Thursday 19th March, with a signed diversion in place via Erinvale Terrace, Townsend Street and Kenlis Street.
• A lane closure will then be in operation on Rathfriland Street, from Erinvale Terrace to Rathfriland Road from Thursday 19th March to Wednesday 25th March.
• No works will take place on Tuesday 17th March, and Rathfriland Street will be open as normal.

Robert continued: “All traffic management will be removed at 16:30 each day. Access to properties will be maintained throughout the works, although some minor delays may be experienced. Pedestrian access will also be available along Rathfriland Street and within Solitude Park. We would ask the public to follow any diversion signposted and be mindful of construction traffic in the area mid to late March.

“NI Water and our project team from AECOM and GEDA thank residents, businesses, park users and motorists for their patience while this essential work is completed.”

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For further information, please email press.office@niwater.com