Irish Water to commence mains re-hab work in Ennis town centre
Irish Water to begin mains rehab works ahead of public realm enhancement project in Ennis town centre.
Drinking water leakage issues are to be water under the bridge in central Ennis as the town gets ready for a makeover. With Clare County Council due to progress with the towns planned public realm enhancement project, Irish Water are set to commence vital infrastructure upgrades ahead of these improvements.
Before those works gets underway, Irish Water will replace aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street, to provide a more reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality.
The works, being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, involve the replacement of over 680m of aged cast iron watermains with new modern pipes and is a continuation of the works successfully completed on Parnell Street in 2019.
The programme to replace the watermains is due to commence in mid-May.
The upgrade of the water network, being carried out by Shareridge Ltd. on behalf of Irish Water, is being completed ahead of the Clare County Council public realm regeneration works in the area. The section of works will take place from High Street through O’Connell Square/Bank Place to Station Road until mid-August.
Gerry O’Donnell, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, said, “The benefits from this project will be significant, by improving water quality, reducing leakage and overall providing a more reliable water supply in the town centre. The works will also support the progress of the Public Realm Enhancement Project being carried out by Clare County Council.
“We are aware that works of this nature can cause some disruption. We would like to assure the public that, together with Clare County Council and our contractor, Shareridge Ltd., we will be closely liaising and engaging with local businesses and residents to minimise any inconvenience over the course of the works.
Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers and businesses near the works. O’Connell Street will be closed to through traffic for a period of the works however deliveries and associated services will be facilitated for the duration.
The works may involve some short-term interruptions to the water supply. The project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned interruption.
Details of each phase of the project are as follows:
PHASE 1 (High St.) from the Junction of Salt House Lane to the Height. High St to be Closed with diversion via Old Friary Lane (reversed direction).
Monday 9th May 2022 to Saturday 21st May 2022.
PHASE 2 ( Bank Place ). No through traffic permitted from the Height onto Bank Place, diversion via O’Connell St.
Monday 23rd May 2022 – Sat 28th May 2022.
Phase 2A (Abbey St.). No through Rd, Traffic to divert onto O’Connell St.
Monday 30th May 2022 – Saturday 11th June 2022.
PHASE 3 (O’Connell St to Jct. Lower Market St.). No through Road, Traffic to divert onto Bank Place.
Monday 13th June 2022 – Saturday 2nd July 2022.
PHASE 4 (O’Connell St. to Station Rd Jct.). No through Rd, Traffic to divert onto Bank Place.
Monday 4th July 2022 – Saturday 23rd July 2022.
PHASE 5 (O’Connell St. from Station Rd to Old Barrack St.). Traffic to divert via Bank Place
Monday 25th July 2022 to Saturday 30th July 2022.
Phase 6 (O’Connell St. to junction with Carmody St.). Traffic to divert via Bank place.
Monday 1st August to 13th August 2022.
Ends.
Photo Caption: L-R. Siarhai Nemich, Shareridge Ltd., Gerry O’Donnell, Irish Water and Brian Duggan, Shareridge Ltd.
