New housing developments in Comber and Newtownards are progressing with the recommencement of essential pipelaying work.

NI Water picked up the key works on the Killinchy Road in Comber this week, which involves the laying of a new storm sewer between nos. 26 and 50 Killinchy Road. This is being carried out under a lane closure with traffic lights.

Speaking about the Killinchy Road work, NI Water Project Manager, Tom Lester said: "Over half of the 290m-long storm sewer has been successfully laid on Killinchy Road. Unfortunately the work has progressed much slower than anticipated due to the extent of hard rock below the road surface, coupled with the narrowness of the road which restricts the size of machines that can be used to break the rock.

"The remaining section of pipe will be completed under a lane closure with traffic lights. As a result of the difficult construction challenges, we anticipate that this work will take around 10-12 weeks to complete. NI Water assures the public that every effort will be made to complete this pipelaying in the shortest possible timeframe. During this work, road users should allow extra time for their journeys."

-- Advertisement --

NI Water will begin another scheme next week to install wastewater infrastructure on Castle Place, Newtownards to serve a new development adjacent to Frances Street. 

The work, which will involve the laying of around 140m of sewer pipe and the construction of associated manholes will extend from the junction of Castle Place and Movilla Street into the new development. The work will be undertaken by both traditional open-cut excavation and underground trenchless methods of pipelaying. 

To facilitate the work in the safest possible manner, a lane closure will be required on Castle Place between its junctions with Movilla Street and Frances Street from 20 March 2023 for around two weeks. The bus stop on Castle Place will be suspended during this time. 

To enable the safe construction of manholes, a road closure will be required on Movilla Street (between its junction with Kennel Lane and Castle Place) from 7pm on Saturday 25 March to 6am on Monday 27 March and from 7pm on Saturday 01 April to 6am on Monday 03 April. As part of the traffic management during this time, the junction at Castle Place and High Street will also be closed. A diversion route will be signposted.