NI Water has been granted a licence to temporarily use Foyle Street Car Park in order to carry out a major wastewater network upgrade in L'Derry this summer.

Now the licence and other agreements is in place, NI Water has been able to appoint a contractor who will mobilise to the car park in the coming days to begin reconfiguration of the area into a temporary bus facility. This will ensure that bus movements are maintained while the planned NI Water works take place on Foyle Street between July 2024 and July 2025. Bus services will operate from their normal locations while the car park is being adapted.

The car park will be closed for up to 18 months overall to support the set up, operation and dismantling of the temporary bus stands and subsequent reinstatement of the parking area. During this time, Foyle Street Bus Station will remain open.

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The current wastewater system on Foyle Street, which combines stormwater and sewage, is over a century old and needs frequent upkeep, such as thorough de-silting. NI Water's upgrade plan focuses on separating the combined stormwater (rain) and sewage system along Foyle Street, from Shipquay Place to Water Street. This aims to reduce odour problems in the vicinity and support local development in the short run. After laying the new sewage pipes, connections will be made at each property along the improved network.

To prevent future disruption in this part of Foyle Street by NI Water, there are plans in place to replace the existing watermain – which dates back to a similar period – during the wastewater upgrade. This will result in this area of Foyle Street benefitting from a modern water and wastewater network.

Foyle Street will be closed to traffic while NI Water's contractor installs three new pipelines and makes over 50 connections. The project will happen in stages to reduce disruption. During the works designated drop-off points and taxi ranks will be installed, footpaths will be kept open and pedestrian access will be maintained.