NI Water is planning to install new wastewater infrastructure between Abbey Way Car Park and High Street in Newry to serve a new residential development on the site of the old St. Clare’s Convent in the city.
As Tom Lester, NI Water Project Manager, explains, part of the pipelaying work, which will get underway next week, will be undertaken using trenchless (underground) methods to help minimise traffic disruption.
“NI Water needs to install around 125m of new pipeline and construct two manholes between Abbey Way Car Park and High Street to provide the necessary wastewater infrastructure to support a new housing development on High Street in Newry.
“The section across the car park and Abbey Way will be undertaken by trenchless drilling methods. This approach will reduce the level of traffic management and disruption in the area and will ensure Abbey Way remains open to motorists. To facilitate this, drilling pits will be required at Abbey Way Car Park and High Street. Short sections of open-cut pipelaying will also be needed to complete the installation.
“To carry out the work in the safest possible manner, the following traffic management will be in place from Monday 26th January for approximately four weeks:
High Street: A one-way closure will be in place on High Street between North Street and Abbey Way. Traffic heading towards Abbey Way will be diverted via Church Street. High Street will remain open to traffic travelling from Abbey Way towards High Street. Access to North Street will be available from both directions.
Mill Street: Mill Street will need to be closed to through traffic at its junction with John Mitchel Pace/Hill Street. BSG-Phace will liaise with any property whose access is located directly within the road closure area. Pedestrian access will be available at all times.
“Access to Abbey Way Car Park will not be affected, although a small number of parking spaces will be required to facilitate the pipelaying works. Diversion routes will be signposted for motorists throughout the construction period and our contractor will strive to remove traffic management as quickly as possible.
“We would like to remind the public that construction sites are dangerous areas for unauthorised persons, especially children, and we would appreciate your co-operation in ensuring that children do not play in or around the site or machinery. Working areas will have warning signs in place to protect the public from any hazards. The public are advised to stay out of these working areas for their own safety.
“In advance of work getting underway, NI Water and our project team from AtkinsRéalis and BSG-Phace take this opportunity to thank local residents, businesses and the wider public for their patience and cooperation while we carry out this essential work to serve this residential development on High Street. We assure you that we will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum and complete the work in the shortest possible timeframe.”
Ends
Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com
