MOTORISTS are bracing themselves for five weeks of town centre disruption in Downpatrick.
Work on a £250,000 sewer improvement scheme starts next week, with NI Water contractors focusing on key areas.
They include New Bridge Street, Church Street, Bridge Street, Saul Street, Saul Road, Marian Park, Drumlin Park, Scotch Street, Market Street, Market Lane, Stream Street, Racecourse Hill, Ardglass Road, Edward Street, Knocknashinna Road and the Knockchree Road.
A number of short lane closures are expected, with two-way traffic maintained at all locations using temporary traffic controls.
Vehicular access for residents and businesses will also be maintained as far as possible but there may be some slight delays according to NI Water which has confirmed that pedestrian access will be available at all times. Parking restrictions will also be in place around the working areas.
Ni Water says the investment is part of a programme of work to improve the existing sewers in Downpatrick, which will enhance the local sewerage infrastructure and reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding.
It has confirmed that the essential work will involve repairing existing sewers and will mainly be undertaken using underground trenchless techniques, which will significantly reduce the duration and disruption of the programme.
But NI Water is warning that it will be necessary to undertake ‘open-dig’ repairs at some locations due to the condition of the existing sewers.
The organisation says that this particular aspect of the work is expected to last just one or two days with contractors also working in the evening, with every effort being made to minimise disruption.
“Appropriate traffic management and signage will be in place as the work progresses,” said a NI Water spokeswoman.
“The majority of the works will be undertaken during normal working hours. However, to reduce disruption to businesses and the public, some night-time works will be required at key locations.
The work will take place at various locations around the Downpatrick area, including some of the main streets within the town centre.”
NI Water has confirmed that the contractor working on the Downpatrick scheme — Geda Construction — will liaise with any affected businesses and properties.
The spokeswoman added: “We appreciate that this work is disruptive and would like to thank the public in advance for their patience as we complete these essential improvement works.
“We are all practising social distancing and our priority is to keep customers and colleagues safe. Please keep your distance and our workers will carry on with their essential work for you.”
South Down MLA Colin McGrath has met with NI Water officials ahead of work starting in Downpatrick, highlighting the need for communication with the community and the need to complete the scheme quickly.
He said it was imperative that consideration was given to the works being done in the evening and at weekends to ensure that the level of public disruption was kept to as low a level as possible.
“I can’t think of a time in recent memory when Downpatrick has suffered road works after road works than has happened over the past few years,” the MLA continued. “If the public is frustrated by this, it is entirely understandable and entirely justified.
“The past few months have been incredibly worrying and stressful and people are finally able to step out of their homes. Shielding finally came to a end last week and the most vulnerable in our society are able to take those first tentative steps out of their homes again. It would have been altogether unacceptable for them to have to navigate this with works going on in their town.”
Mr McGrath said that having raised these issues with NI Water, the organisation is planning to use underground trenchless techniques, with contractors also working in the evening.
He added: “I will be in regular contact with the project manager to ensure that these works are completed as quickly as possible and due consideration given to the public.”
Downpatrick area councillor Dermot Curran has appealed to residents and the business community to remain patient as the work progresses.
“This is an important scheme for Downpatrick and, as such, there will inevitably be disruption. NI Water intends to keep this to a minimum and it is important that this is the case,” he continued.
“This is a significant investment in a much-needed scheme to not only upgrade the existing infrastructure, but also prevent so-called out-of-sewer flooding. Upgrading town centre sewers is an important scheme and NI Water must honour its commitment to keep disruption to a minimum.”
Cllr Curran said improving the town centre’s waste water infrastructure was good news for residents and the business community.
He added :“The suggested timetable to complete the work is five weeks and I hope that every effort will be made to ensure that back-to-school traffic is not impacted as the start of the new term is less than one month away.”