Sewer Laying to Commence in Toome

28 April 2010 8:43

Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) wishes to announce that it will commence work on the installation of a new gravity sewer in the centre of Toome village on the 10th of May. The work, which will take approximately 20 weeks, is part of a multi-million pound programme of sewerage improvements being undertaken in the wider Toome/Creagh area.

The new large diameter sewer will link Toome with the new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment works currently being constructed in Creagh. This infrastructure will deliver an improved level of service to the people in the locality, raise the quality of discharge to local watercourses - in line with the latest European standards - and accommodate domestic and industrial growth in the area until 2025.

In a bid to keep pipelaying disruption to a minimum, the new sewer be installed in two phases using the trenchless method of pipelaying known as ‘directional drilling’. This process dramatically reduces the amount of excavation required to lay the pipe and will allow traffic to flow more freely through the village without the need for road closures.

To facilitate the pipelaying work in the safest possible manner, NI Water, in agreement with Road Service, will implement a one-way system through the village.

For phase one work, (pipelaying between Market Square and mini roundabout on Main Street), traffic flow along Market Square will be reversed. Traffic heading into Toome from Castledawson (A6) will no longer be able to turn right onto Market Square but can continue right along Main Street out to the roundabout at the Moneynick Road. Traffic coming from Belfast will be diverted off Main Street along Market Square out to the junction with the River Bann. Commuters wishing to get back to Main Street can either turn right at Market Square or at the Police Station. The section of Main Street between the mini roundabout and the Police Station will take two-way traffic until the pipelaying machine approaches this point.

For phase two work (pipelaying from mini roundabout to Police Station) a one-way system will be implemented right along Main Street; while the traffic flow on Market Square will remain reversed. Reinstatement of roads will be carried out as each section is completed.

NI Water has been liaising with businesses in the area and has advised all key stakeholders of these temporary traffic management plans. All efforts will be made by NI Water to carry out this essential upgrade work as quickly as possible and will strive to ensure minimum possible disruption to the local community and road users. Advance notification of traffic management plans will be displayed in the locality and the project team will endeavour to keep local business and residents informed as the scheme progresses.

In advance of the main pipelaying work taking place, GEDA Construction will be on site following the May Day bank holiday to begin enabling works in preparation for the main pipelaying work to take place. Normal traffic arrangements will be in place during this time.

NI Water and GEDA Construction would like to thank the public in advance for their co-operation during this vital improvement work. Customers with any questions on the scheme should contact Waterline on 08457 440088.