Pollagh residents in County Offaly are set to secure a more reliable, improved water supply thanks to key infrastructure works.

Irish Water is leading a scheme to replace 4km of old water mains with new pipes, reducing outages and eliminating existing leaks.

Speaking about the works, Joe Carroll, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, said: "Working in partnership with Offaly County Council, we have prioritised leakage reduction works to those areas which need it most. Replacing this old water main in Pollagh will reduce the number of bursts and outages. 

"The works will safeguard the supply in Offaly now and into the future and support growth and development in the area."

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The works will run from the junction of the Pollagh Road and Derrycooly to Rahan Road before continuing northbound towards Grand Canal. On reaching Pullough's Community Shop, the section of mains replacement will loop back towards the Pullough Junction at Heathfield and continue southbound along the Back Road to the first junction at Island Lower.

In order to carry out these vital works a road closure is necessary. The closure will take place from the junction of the R357 and Rahan Road, heading towards Rahan, before continuing Northbound to Pollagh Village. It will continue across the Grand Canal, via Pollagh's Community Centre, finishing at the Ballycumber road opposite St. Manchan's Church.

Northbound traffic to Pollagh village will be diverted westbound along the R357 to Cloghan Village before taking the N62 to Ferbane village and continuing eastbound along the Ballycumber Road (R436) to St. Manchan's Church. Local residents have been notified of the road closure and the diversion.

Ward and Burke Construction Ltd is carrying out the works on behalf of Irish Water, with completion expected by the end of July.