New sewage system not ready until March

The work in question is still ongoing near the entrance to Woodbrook West and traffic control measures have been put in place.

A public notice was erected at the site of the construction. The notice states the work would start in August 2015 and would take 12 weeks to complete.

“The original sign stated that the work would be for a 12 week period,” confirmed an NI Water spokesperson.

“The work at this stage involved the diversion of existing pipe work around the old pumping station to allow the new station to be constructed. Geda completed the pipe work diversions on October 23, 2015; however, traffic management has been kept in place to facilitate construction traffic for the pumping station works,” the spokesperson added.

Although it is anticipated that the construction of the water pumping station will be completed next month it is believed traffic measures could remain in place until the end of April.

“The final element of work, construction of the new pumping station, is due for completion by the end of March 2016. However, the site compound will remain in place until the end of April to allow all surface site works to be completed.

“Prior to completion of the works, some temporary traffic management will be required for reinstatement of Upper Galliagh Road.

“These works are currently scheduled for completion at the end of March 2016,” said the spokesperson.

The work on the Upper Galliagh Road is part of the Buncrana Road Stage Two contract and is one of a number capital projects recommended in the Derry Drainage Area Plan (2006).

The contract includes the replacement of wastewater pumping stations at Upper Galliagh Road and Knockalla (Fairview Road) with new increased capacity stations.

“When complete, the new wastewater pumping station will increase the capacity of the sewerage system, allow for current and future development in the area, and reduce the risk of ‘out-of-sewer’ flooding,” said the spokesperson.