NI Water will begin a programme of sewer relining in the Solitude Park area of Banbridge on Monday 16 March, with the scheme expected to take around 10 days. The work is intended to strengthen the local sewer network and reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding. Solitude Park will remain open throughout, with some temporary path diversions around working areas.

To carry out the project safely and accommodate construction machinery, traffic management will operate on Rathfriland Street daily from 09:30 to 16:30. From Monday 16 to Thursday 19 March, Rathfriland Street will be closed to through traffic between Erinvale Terrace and Rathfriland Road/Kenlis Street, with a signed diversion via Erinvale Terrace, Townsend Street and Kenlis Street. A lane closure will then be in place from Thursday 19 to Wednesday 25 March on Rathfriland Street between Erinvale Terrace and Rathfriland Road. No works will take place on Tuesday 17 March, when the road will be open as normal.

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Speaking about the scheme and the traffic measures, Robert McLean, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said: "Through the relining and strengthening of existing sewers, this NI Water investment will help the system to work more reliably, reducing the likelihood of blockages while helping to protect the local environment against out-of-sewer flooding.

"The work will be carried out from existing manholes, thereby avoiding the need for extensive excavation. However, to facilitate the machinery required to support these works – including large tankers – the following traffic management will be in place on Rathfriland Street between 09:30 and 16:30 each day."

Robert continued: "All traffic management will be removed at 16:30 each day. Access to properties will be maintained throughout the works, although some minor delays may be experienced. Pedestrian access will also be available along Rathfriland Street and within Solitude Park. We would ask the public to follow any diversion signposted and be mindful of construction traffic in the area mid to late March.

"NI Water and our project team from AECOM and GEDA thank residents, businesses, park users and motorists for their patience while this essential work is completed."