Concerns have been raised after NI Water said they intended to lay a new water main on a road that has only recently been resurfaced.
Residents of Vicarage Road, outside Portadown, have been informed by a letter from NI Water stating the work will be carried out.
It said that NI Water, along with their appointed contractor, BSG Civil Engineering Ltd would commence the work on the water main replacement scheme in May.
The work will result in road closures, with the letter reading, “Detailed traffic arrangements have been discussed and agreed with Transport NI to try to minimise the impact of these works on residents, road users and the public.
“A road closure will be implemented, vehicular access will be maintained for residents and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
“Normal working hours will be 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday; however, it may be necessary at times for work to be carried out outside of these hours.”
ABC Council Cusher DUP representative Alderman Gareth Wilson said he was frustrated by the announcement given the fact that Vicarage Road had only recently been resurfaced after many years of residents enduring a sub-standard surface with many defects.
He has written to NI Water asking why the works weren’t scheduled prior to the resurfacing.
Said Alderman Wilson: “I am concerned to note that NI Water plan to install a water main on Vicarage Road which recently received extensive resurfacing and drainage works – something lobbied for relentlessly for many years.
“Following concerns raised with me by local residents, I have written to NI Water to express my concerns and ask why this water mains work was not undertaken prior to the expensive resurfacing scheme commencing.
“It makes no sense to now start this work when it is bound to have been known for some time that water main upgrades were required.”
He added: “There is supposed to be collaboration between public services on these matters to avoid new surfaces being disrupted.
I will be interested in NI Water’s response on this matter and I will also be keen to understand exactly what type of engineering will be employed here, for example will it be trench or trenchless installation and what assurances can be given that the surface will be left as it was.
“Residents who have waited so long on this resurfacing are aghast at the prospect of diggers cutting up the newly laid surface so soon after it was completed.”
