McIlveen Welcomes Comber Sewer Rehabilitation Project
23 March 2016 13:25
Regional Development Minister Michelle McIlveen announced the start of work on Stage 2 of NI Water’s sewerage rehabilitation work in the Comber area.
It is anticipated that the work will take approximately six months to complete.
Minister Michelle McIlveen said: “This programme of work in Comber is part of NI Water’s ongoing Sewerage Rehabilitation Programme throughout the province which represents an investment of approximately £18 million to improve an ageing sewerage network across Northern Ireland over a period of six years.
''Once both stages are complete, the project will provide the local community with improved sewerage systems that are less prone to failure from blockages and sewer collapses and will also reduce the risks of ‘out of sewer’ flooding and environmental pollution.”
Mark Sefton, NI Water Project Manager added: “This project will involve essential sewer improvement work which was identified under the investigation work carried out in Stage 1 of the project. The work may include localised repairs, the installation of “liners” in existing sewers, replacing sewers which are beyond their natural lifespans as well as other associated work.
“Where possible, the work will be carried out using specialist “no-dig” or “low-dig” methods, which are designed to minimise disruption and the duration of the work. However it will be necessary at some locations to relay pipes by traditional “open-dig” methods. NI Water would like to thank the local community for their patience, while we complete this essential improvement work.”
NI Water is fully aware of the recent completion of the Public Realm work within Comber town centre and has liaised closely with Ards and North Down Borough Council and Transport NI to minimise any further disruption within these areas. Areas will be fully reinstated to their current condition where essential works have to be carried out.
Work of this nature can be unavoidably disruptive at certain locations, particularly where temporary road/lane closures and traffic diversions are required. Alongside the contractor, GRAHAM Construction, NIW will work closely with Transport NI and other key stakeholders to minimise inconvenience and disruption to local residents, businesses and road users as far as practicably possible.
Customer queries should be directed to Waterline on 03457 440088.
The attached image shows Mark Sefton, NI Water Senior Project Manager showing Regional Development Minister Michelle McIlveen around NI Water’s sewerage rehabilitation work in Comber. The improvement work will provide the local community with improved sewerage systems that are less prone to failure from blockages and sewer collapses and will reduce the risks of “out of sewer” flooding and environmental pollution.
Notes to editors:
· NI Water operates and maintains approximately 14,500 kilometres of sewers some across Northern Ireland some of which dates back to Victorian times. This sewer rehabilitation programme is prioritised to maintain critical sewer network with approximately 75 kilometres targeted to be replaced or renovated with the PC15 business operating period (April 2015 to March 2021).
· The Stage 2 works will be carried out at the following locations in the Comber area:-
Belfast Road, Green Link, Bridge Street, Bridge Street Link, Castle Lane, Castle Street, Copeland Cresent, Crescent Grove, Dermott Road, Glen Road, Railway Street, Gortin Street, Killinchy Street, Laurel Bank, Pound Bridge, Mill Street, Newton Bridge, Newtownards Road, The Square, Bridge Street.