The sewer system in Newry is set to undergo a significant upgrade.

NI Water is investing £1.5 million in the city's existing sewers, with work commencing on Dublin Road on the week commencing 27 March 2023.

This first phase of work, which will extend along Dublin Road between Bridge Street and the Forkhill Roundabout, will be undertaken at night in a bid to minimise disruption. It will last for five weeks.

Where possible, repairs to the sewers will be undertaken using trenchless techniques from existing manholes. This approach does not require excavation works and reduces the overall disruption. 

In a bid to minimise disruption further, the works will be undertaken during the night from 7pm to 6am. 

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Localised traffic management will be in place around any works area to manage the flow of traffic. Vehicular access to business and residential properties will be maintained but may be subject to slight delays, while parking restrictions may be in place around a working area.

Robert McLean, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said: "Letters have been issued to businesses and residents along the route and signage to notify the wider public has been erected. NI Water and our contractor GEDA Construction will make every effort to minimise noise and complete the work in the shortest possible timeframe.

"We would take this opportunity to highlight that construction sites are dangerous areas for unauthorised persons, especially children and we would appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that children do not play in or around the works or machinery. Working areas will have warning signs and traffic control in place to protect the public from any danger.

"NI Water and our project team from AECOM and GEDA appreciate the patience and cooperation from businesses, residents and road users while we undertake this essential work. This project will improve the condition of the existing sewerage system, reducing the likelihood of sewer collapses, blockages and out-of-sewer flooding.

"We will issue information on subsequent phases of work once they have been programmed and traffic management arrangements have been agreed."