Students at Queen's University's School of Civil Engineering have been given rare insight into NI Water's ambitious Belfast Sewers Project, with the unveiling of a four-week photography exhibition.

The selection of images on display at the David Keir Building capture important engineering achievements during the three years of the £120m project.

Some pictures included the construction a new four-metre diameter tunnel under the city and one of the biggest wastewater pumping stations in Northern Ireland.

Bill Gowdy, NI Water Project Sponsor, said: "With this link up with the School of Civil Engineering, students and visitors can find out more about the exceptional achievements the project has had in Belfast.

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"During the last three years the Belfast Sewers Project has engaged with communities and businesses across the city to highlight the vital work taking place right under their feet."

One of the largest construction projects currently taking place in the UK, work on the current phase of the project began in 2006 with the upgrade of the existing sewer networks and construction of new drainage tunnels to increase stormwater capacity.

With the new pumping station and additional structures nearing completion, the project is set to go live in the forthcoming months.

Douglas Ferguson, Civil Engineering Senior Lecturer at Queen's, said: "This is a rare opportunity for the school to, not only see the work of the project up-close, but to realise how ambitious and rewarding engineering careers can be.

"NI Water and its contractors have capitalised on the latest technologies and techniques in this project and it is inspiring for students to see the deployment of text book examples and best practice in a scheme that is literally on their doorstep."

The aim of the project is to support the continued growth of the city, improve the water quality in the Lagan and Blackstaff rivers and reduce the risk of flooding in the Belfast area.

Morgan Farrans JV is the main contractor alongside Northern Ireland Water's appointed project managers, Atkins.

(PR/BMcC)