NI Water has announced that work is progressing well on an essential £2.6m package of improvements to the sewerage infrastructure in Downpatrick town centre.

A new pumping station with storm storage and increased pumping capacities, new pumping mains and sewer upgrades are currently underway in the town.

The main contract got underway in November 2013, with works on the new pumping station within the existing car park behind the Grove Shopping Centre.

NI Water and its contractor BSG Civil Engineering Ltd are currently installing the new pumping main from Market Street to the existing terminal pumping station at Russell Park, plus installing an additional section of pumping main required to facilitate the new leisure centre development.

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This section of work requires a lane closure on Ballydugan Road between the entrance to Asda and the car park entrance beside Rathkeltair House.

Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout this works phase with road crossings carried out via weekend/night time working.

NI Water will continue to review the Traffic Management Plan for Market Street and liaise closely with DRD Roads Service to agree any proposed changes as pipelaying progresses. Further updates will be provided in advance of the future work phases to keep customers informed as this essential scheme progresses.

The project will ultimately facilitate the relocation and upgrading of the existing sewerage pumping station from Market Street to the new site in the existing car park.

This will reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding in Market Street, reduce storm overflows during wet weather conditions to the Plank Drain and generally enhance the sewerage system to meet future growth and demand.

The overall programme of work is scheduled to be completed in late 2014.

(CD/JP)