Northern Ireland Water has met with a representative of the Alliance Party over residents' concerns about the extension of roadworks in east Belfast.

Naomi Long requested the meeting after NIW announced that the Mersey Street roadworks, which were originally scheduled to finish this summer, were being extended until December.

The news angered residents and commuters, who Alliance East Belfast Westminster candidate Mrs Long said had been significantly disrupted by the ongoing process.

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She said: "There is no question there has been a massive disruption for people who live in the Mersey Street area, as well as those who use it as an access road to reach other areas of East Belfast while these critical drainage works are completed. I pressed NIW to make every effort possible to minimise further disruption and maximise access for those wishing to use the road to access local amenities.

"I recognise this is a massive inconvenience to people but I received assurances that residents are being consulted over the progress of the works. The difficulty experienced should hopefully reduce over the summer as works recede further up Mersey Street."

(CD/JP)