NI Water will continue pipelaying works in Portadown as part of the £7.8 million Meadow Lane Wastewater Upgrade which will deliver environmental benefits and support economic growth.

A total of 620 metres of large-diameter sewer is being installed beneath Meadow Lane, which will improve the network's capacity and prevent out-of-sewer flooding. Around one third of the new pipe has been laid and the use of the trenchless (tunnelling) methods has helped considerably to minimise disruption in the area.

To finish, open-cut excavations will be necessary, leading to additional traffic management measures. This includes short sections of road closures at four more locations between the health center and the new pumping station near Meadow Lane Car Park.

In order to support the works a section of Meadow Lane, between the health centre and Tavanagh Avenue, will be closed from 22 April to 13 May 2024.

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NI Water's Project Manager, Lisa Hughes said: "Our contractor has been making good progress on installing the new large diameter sewer in Meadow Lane. The next phase of works will be to connect the new sewer to the existing network at various locations. This process will require the use of more traditional open-cut methods of pipelaying.

"NI Water will advise local stakeholders on the additional traffic management details as soon as possible. In the meantime, NI Water and our project team from BSG and McAdam take this opportunity to thank residents, businesses and road users for their ongoing patience and cooperation while we continue with the tunnelling work and preparations for these vital connections. As always, every effort will be made to complete the open-cut pipelaying work in the shortest possible time frame.

"In addition to the essential pipelaying work, BSG is making great progress on the new wastewater pumping station which includes the construction of a new 20m diameter stormwater storage tank. Once complete in 2025, the wider £7.8 million NI Water project will reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, support local development and deliver extensive environmental improvements in the Portadown area."

Local access will be maintained to Tavanagh Avenue and the Baptist Church car park via Thomas Street; however there will be no through access to the health centre from this point. Access to the health centre will be from the Meadows Shopping Centre side of Meadow Lane while this work is being completed. Diversion routes for motorists will be signposted and we would advise road users to allow extra time for their journeys.