13 December 1999

UPDATE ON LARNE SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

The Water Service, part of the Department for Regional Development, has given a six month update on the £14 million sewerage improvement scheme which is underway in Larne and given details of arrangements for the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Under Contract 1, sewers and water mains have been replaced in Narrow Gauge Road, Point Street, High Street, Pound Street, St. John's Place, Dixon Park, Curran Road, Glenview Avenue, Old Glenarm Road and Lower Cairncastle Road, as well as new tank sewers at Cranfield Park and Mill Brae.

Further contracts for the construction of major sewerage pumping stations are also included in the first phase of the scheme and are due to commence shortly. The present phase is on target for completion early in 2001, while a further phase of the project will be the construction of a new Waste Water Treatment Works.

Giving details of the work schedule for the Christmas and New Year period Water Service spokesman John Close commented; "The works have been programmed to ensure that the areas within the town centre and the main routes into the town will be free from excavation work during the run up to the holiday period.

"In order to minimise disruption it is planned that all site works will stop for the Christmas period. The contractor will be removing all barriers and signs where possible and will ensure that all work locations will be open for traffic.

"The road surfacing work carried out to date is a temporary measure to allow settlement to take place before permanent reinstatement is completed. Our contractor will continually monitor this temporary surface to ensure it remains in a good and safe condition.

"Other aspects of this scheme involve re-excavation in areas where work has already been carried out. This happens during the replacement of water mains, where existing consumer connections have to be transferred to the new water main."

Mr Close concluded, "Work will start again after the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Areas which will have their sewers and watermains upgraded and replaced include Princess Gardens, Waterloo Road, Newington Avenue and Circular Road. Tank sewers are planned for the Upper and Lower sections of the Roddens, Station Road, Glouster Avenue, Victoria Road, Circular Road and in areas adjacent to Newington Avenue and Knocklayde Crescent.

"Water Service would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused, but would stress that the work is essential for the improvement of the sewerage infrastructure in the town. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum. I would ask anyone who has any concerns or queries to contact the Water Service WATERLINE number on 0345 440088"

Notes for Editors.

For more information please contact Press Office, Department for Regional Development, telephone 01232 540008.