A £300,000 project has been launched to reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding in Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

Led by NI Water, the sewer improvement programme will take place on High Street and will be extended to various areas of the town over a period of approximately 11 weeks. These works will be mainly undertaken using trenchless techniques to minimise disruption.

Explaining more about the works, NI Water's Robert McLean, Senior Project Manager said: "This essential work will involve the repair of existing sewers using underground trenchless techniques where possible. This innovative approach will significantly reduce the duration of the works and disruption to the public. Where this method of repair is not possible, due to the condition of the sewer, 'open-dig' repairs will be carried out. The programme of sewer repairs for the Castlederg area will also involve some work on private lands.

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"NI Water through our project team, GEDA Construction and AECOM, will liaise with any residents, businesses and landowners directly affected by these works. We appreciate that work of this nature can be disruptive and we will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation as we complete this essential work. Local communities will benefit from these sewer improvements and reduced flood risk for many years to come."

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon added: "I am pleased to see this investment which will deliver upgraded sewerage infrastructure for people living and working in the Castlederg area.

"Continued investment in the water and wastewater services throughout Northern Ireland is essential to improving this critical infrastructure which has become even more vital recently in protecting public health."

The work will be undertaken at various locations around Castlederg and signage will be in place in the affected areas. In order to undertake any work located on roads safely, it may be necessary to have short duration lane closures in place with two-way traffic maintained using temporary traffic controls where appropriate. Vehicular access for residents and businesses will be maintained as far as possible but could be subject to slight delays, while pedestrian access will be available at all times. Parking restrictions may be in place around working areas.

Where possible, the works will be undertaken during normal working hours, which will generally be 8am-5pm. However, depending on location, it may be necessary to undertake some of the work during the evening/night-time hours to reduce disruption to businesses and the public.