NI Water will begin work at the end of June to install a new sewer on Belfast Road in Carrickfergus, as part of the Living With Water in Belfast Plan.

This sewer installation, to be completed in three phases, is part of a broader initiative aimed at expanding the sewer network's capacity to support local development.

NI Water Senior Project Manager David McClean said: "This major programme of work will also deliver environmental improvements and has already seen a major upgrade to Lower Woodburn Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS), as well as other local network upgrades which will help reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding and improve the water quality in Belfast Lough.

"We appreciate that work of this nature can be disruptive and would like to thank the local community and travelling public for their patience and cooperation while we undertake this essential scheme. Our contractor AG Wilson will strive to keep disruption to a minimum and will work longer hours in a bid to complete pipelaying in the shortest possible timeframe."

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The first phase of this pipeline work involves installing 860 metres of large-diameter sewer and constructing associated manholes along Belfast Road, between Lower Woodburn WwPS (near the Go Station) and the junction of Sloefield Drive.

The required traffic management will include a lane closure in both directions on Belfast Road and a reduced speed limit, which will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph. Some pedestrian management will also be required during phase 1 work.

Traffic management will be in place from Saturday 29 June to facilitate the delivery of machinery and materials, with pipelaying getting underway on Monday 1 July. Work will commence at the Go Station and progress towards Sloefield Drive. Traffic/pedestrian management will move along Belfast Road with the pipelaying work.

The first phase of this project is expected to take approximately 8 weeks to complete. To speed up the work and minimise disruption, extended working hours (7am-7pm) will be implemented from Monday to Friday, with additional work on Saturdays. Traffic management measures will be temporarily lifted on July 11 and 12, and on August 18, to accommodate town events.