NI Water will begin pipelaying work on the A23 Moneyreagh Road on Monday 4th March as part of a £1 million capital investment programme to improve the sewerage infrastructure and reduce the risk of flooding in the area.

The first phase of the scheme will involve the laying of approximately 5km of pipeline along the A23 into Ballygowan. As NI Water's Project Manager for the scheme, Jonathan Rowe explained, a series of measures will be implemented to minimise disruption for road users along this busy commuter route.

Mr Rowe said: "To minimise disruption to traffic, NI Water's contractor for the scheme, Graham Construction, will use trenchless methods of construction to undertake pipelaying along the A23 which avoid the need for road closures. There will be no pipelaying work carried out during peak commuting times: 7.00am-9.30am and 4.00-6.30pm, Monday to Friday and during the remaining hours, traffic flow will be maintained through the use of a traffic lights system."

-- Advertisement --

The second phase of the pipeline scheme, due to get underway on Monday 8th April, will involve pipelaying in Dickson Park and through the centre of Ballygowan village.

He continued: "On Monday 8th April a second pipelaying crew will commence work to take the new pipe from Ballygowan Wastewater Treatment Works (located to the rear of Dickson Park) through Dickson Park and out to the A23 Belfast Road where it will tie in with the pipeline laid in phase one of the scheme.

"NI Water appreciates that this pipeline scheme will impact on many residents and we will take all steps possible to ensure that any necessary disruption is kept to an absolute minimum."

(CD/GK)