Town centre sewer works will last 12 weeks

NI Water is scheduled to commence essential improvements to the sewerage infrastructure in the Church Street, Bryan Street and Wellington Street areas.

A statement said the existing infrastructure is now beyond its useful life and it is essential that NI Water upgrades these sewers in advance of Ballymena Borough Council’s “Public Realm” scheme getting underway. The work will reduce the risk of sewers collapsing, which could lead to out of sewer flooding.

In order to reduce the impact on local businesses and road users, the works will be carried out at night.

A spokesperson said: “We have been liaising with DRD Roads Service and agreed to carry out this work during the following working hours Monday-Wednesday 7.00pm-6.30am and Thursday-Friday 9.30pm-6.30am. However please note that during these times it will be necessary to close Church Street and Bryan Street. Signed diversions will be in place. There will be traffic restrictions during our working hours on Wellington Street, however the road will remain open to traffic throughout the works and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.”

Reinstatement will be carried out at the end of each shift, so that the roads can be reopened and on-street parking restored during normal day-time working hours.

The spokesperson said: “This programme of work is good news for the local area, as the work will improve the sewerage infrastructure in the area and reduce disruption caused to NI Water customers as a result of necessary maintenance of defective and ageing sewers.

“As with all work of this nature, there will be an element of disruption throughout the sewer improvement scheme and NI Water would like to thank the public and local businesses in advance for their patience and cooperation, and assure them that we will do everything we can to complete the work as quickly as possible with minimum disruption.

“Customer queries regarding this work should be directed to Waterline on 08457 440088 quoting “Farrans Utilities Ballymena Sewer Improvement Scheme”.