NI Water is progressing well with this large-scale flood alleviation project for the Upper Newtownards Road/Knock Road area of East Belfast. This essential infrastructure project involves the upgrade of existing and installation of new sewers on the Upper Newtownards and Knock Roads, as well as sewers within some other residential streets. It is being undertaken to resolve historical internal and external ‘out of sewer’ flooding issues and when complete, it will increase the capacity of the existing sewerage system in the area.

To date, two major tunnel crossings have been completed across the Upper Newtownards Road/Knock Road junction and the Kings Road/Knock Road junction.  The majority of pipe laying in the Knock Road will be completed by the end of this week, with some traffic management remaining around the Comber Greenway and an element of off peak weekend work required to carry out the final reinstatement. Further works are also to be undertaken within the grass verge areas and the Comber Greenway.

Due to the location of some underground services, a small section of the current work on the Upper Newtownards Road has been extended until the end of September, with localised lane closures at the junction with Ormiston Park.

In addition to this, and in order to avoid returning to this section of the Upper Newtownards Road in summer 2018, it has been agreed with the Department for Infrastructure that a section of trenchless sewer installation will take place between Knockhill Park and Pasadena Gardens.  This is to ensure that work is completed in advance of the new Belfast Rapid Transit System.  Lane closures will continue at this location between September and November 2017 with one lane remaining open in each direction.   The bus lanes will also be suspended and parking restrictions will be in place. 

NI Water appreciate that this work is disruptive, and we will continue do everything we can to complete the work on the Upper Newtownards Road as soon as possible.

The key elements of this project have been programmed to finish in advance of the implementation of the new Belfast Rapid Transport (BRT) system in September 2018. 

NI Water and our contractor Dawson WAM like to thank the public for their ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue work on this essential flood alleviation project and any customer enquiries should be directed to Waterline on 03457 440088.

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All media enquiries to NI Water Press Office on 028 9035 4757 or email press.office@niwater.com