NI Water's contractor, BSG, is scheduled to finish the second of four significant connections on Meadow Lane in Portadown this week.

Following this, the next phase of pipelaying is expected to commence in the Portmore Street area by the end of July.

As part of NI Water's £7.8m Meadow Lane Wastewater Upgrade, the project includes laying over 600 metres of large diameter sewer pipes and building a state-of-the-art wastewater pumping station.

Speaking about the work, NI Water Project Manager, Lisa Hughes said: "We recently completed tunnelling of the 1500mm diameter sewer under Meadow Lane and our contractor, BSG is now working to complete the remaining connections to the existing network.

"Work at the entrance to Portadown Boat Club is due to be completed by Friday 5th July with the next phase of open-cut pipelaying and connection work planned to commence in the vicinity of Portmore Street towards the end of July.

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"To facilitate the work safely, Meadow Lane will be closed to southbound traffic at the Portmore Street junction. Access along Meadow Lane from Thomas Street towards Bridge Street will be unaffected. Work is expected to get underway on Monday 29th July and be completed by Friday 6th September. During this time, access to Portmore Street and businesses on Meadow Lane as far as Portmore Street will be via Bridge Street/Meadow Lane.

"While this work is ongoing, access to businesses beyond Portmore Street, including Bannview B&B, McWilliam Car Sales, Portadown Boat Club, the service area of Tesco and the Range as well as the health centre and Baptist Church will be via Thomas Street/Tavanagh Avenue.

"A diversion route for motorists will be signposted and as always our contractor will make every effort to complete the work in the shortest possible timescale. Following the completion of pipelaying at Meadow Lane/Portmore Street junction, some open-cut work on Portmore Street itself will be required. A lane closure will be required on Meadow Lane to facilitate this work and access to Portmore Street will be via Thomas Street during this time. We will provide an update to residents, businesses and the public ahead of this section of work getting underway.

"NI Water and our project team from BSG and McAdam take this opportunity to thank the local community for their continued patience and support during the ongoing £7.8m Meadow Lane Wastewater Upgrade Project."

NI Water's substantial investment aims to meet Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA) standards by reducing discharges into local watercourses and enabling the closure of five Storm Overflows. Beyond environmental improvements, this infrastructure upgrade will support Portadown's development prospects and economic growth.