Give more warning of roadworks

Give more warning of roadworks

12 August 2015

NORTHERN Ireland Water has been urged to give Downpatrick traders more warning about its plans to carry out work in the town.

The move comes after traders were given just 48 hours’ notice about work starting on a three-week scheme to clean pipelines and manholes and conduct CCTV surveys.

The work is scheduled to end next Friday, but councillor Colin McGrath is concerned traders were informed about the scheme just two days before contractors arrived. He said NI Water must “communicate more effectively with traders” as business owners require time to plan for such interruptions.

The Downpatrick councillor said while the NI Water scheme may not involve major traffic disruption, it will result in traffic lights and stop-go boards in the town centre “which can be enough to put off potential customers.”

He continued: “Appropriate measures could be put in place to deal with such disruptions, allowing businesses to inform regular customers in advance or reschedule appointments, but this is not possible if businesses are only given a few days’ notice.

“I welcome the sewerage upgrade work NI Water is undertaking and value the investment it is making in the town, but there must be more effective and timely communication with local businesses to minimise disruption caused.”

A spokeswoman for NI Water said the contractor carrying out the work delivered letters and visited  businesses in the affected areas, prior to work getting underway. She explained the work is the first stage of a project and it’s envisaged disruption will be minimal and of short duration, with normal traffic flow accommodated at most locations. 

“We do appreciate that this is still an inconvenience and will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum and complete this stage of the work as soon as possible,” she continued. “All work has been planned and programmed in liaison with Transport NI to minimise its impact on the main arterial routes in Downpatrick.”

The spokeswoman explained stage two of the Downpatrick sewerage scheme will involve the relaying, relining or repair of existing sewers. She said where possible, this work will be carried out using ‘low-dig’ or ‘no dig’ methods to reduce disruption and duration of construction work.

“When the extent and timing of work for stage two has been identified, NI Water will continue to liaise closely with Transport NI to agree traffic management plans to minimise the impact of the works within the Downpatrick area,” said the spokeswoman.

She added: “We will ensure all key stakeholders are given adequate, advance notice of impending stage two work and will endeavour to minimise inconvenience and disruption to residents, businesses and road users, as far as practically possible.”