Farrans-Glanua JV has been appointed to deliver a £2.5 million programme of work for NI Water aimed at securing Derry City's water supply for the next 25 years.

The initial phase involves applying an innovative protective wrap to the Strand Road Trunk Main, the main water pipeline that crosses the Craigavon Bridge on the city side. The wrap is designed to reinforce the network and prevent corrosion in a marine and saltwater environment, extending the pipeline’s service life without the need for full replacement.

To facilitate the works, scaffolding will be erected on the lower deck of the Craigavon Bridge starting Monday, November 10, 2025. A single lane heading out of the city towards Bridge Street will be closed during off-peak hours (9.30am – 4.30pm) for two–three weeks while scaffolding is installed and dismantled. The upper deck will remain open at all times. Once the scaffolding is in place, the lower deck will reopen until the final dismantling. The wrapping and associated works are expected to take around ten weeks to complete.

-- Advertisement --

Following the Strand Road Trunk Main, the project will move to phase two, which involves replacing the Corrody to Creggan Trunk Main on the opposite side of the bridge. This pipeline, which supplies drinking water to around 35,000 properties, has suffered multiple bursts and is currently out of service. Replacement works are planned to start in spring 2026, with the pipeline installed from a river barge and wrapped to protect against the marine environment. A lane closure on the lower deck of the Craigavon Bridge will also be required to support scaffolding for this phase.

NI Water, Farrans-Glanua JV, and McAdam are coordinating the works to minimise disruption and ensure long-term security of the city's water supply. Updates on the second phase will be provided once permits are secured and scheduling is confirmed.