By Ryan Sands
Work to reline a section of sewer running under Kilkeel’s Aughrim River to “help protect the quality” of its water is set to commence next month.
This was confirmed by NI Water after Mournes DUP councillor Henry Reilly said that he had been informed that the body “intends to remove the unsightly concrete sewer structure” from the town river.
The local representative stated that “the presence of the concrete structure and sewer pipe running down the river has denied the possibility of ever doing a meaningful environmental improvement scheme to clean the area up and convert the area into an asset, rather than a liability that has blighted Kilkeel town centre.”
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has received a funding commitment from the Department for Communities that will allow it to do a major scheme in the area, including a permanent water feature upgrade and the construction of a new bridge to link the River Walk, which will also be upgraded,” he stated. “A consultant will be appointed to develop the design work in the coming weeks.”
When contacted for comment on the works, an NI Water spokesperson responded: “Following approval from the relevant agencies, NI Water expects to begin a programme of work in late July to reline a section of sewer that runs under the Aughrim River in Kilkeel. The relining work will be carried out using special trenchless (no-dig) techniques from existing manholes.
“The concrete manholes are an integral part of the wastewater network, providing safe access for NI Water to maintain operation of the sewers.”
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