UPDATE: Uisce Éireann clarify plan for long Laois road closure

As a Laois town prepares for major road closure starting on Monday, June 16, Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) has further clarified their plan and the need for the works.

Half of the main street of Mountmellick, Parnell Street from the junction at Mountmellick Pharmacy to the junction at Tirlán, is to be closed on one lane, from between four to eight weeks.

With a local hairdresser expressing concern at the effect on business, the national water utility has reassured the public that there will not be any delay for what they say are essential works.

A spokesperson updated The Leinster Express / Laois Live. 

"As part of the National Leakage Reduction Programme, these works involve the replacement of nearly 400m of aged cast iron water mains with new modern pipes. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply.  

"As part of these essential works, traffic management will be in place at this time, in the form of traffic lights and a lane closure on the south side of Parnell Street," they say.

The south side refers to the lane closest to businesses including Roberto's Take Away and Frankie's Hairdressing. Both of those businesses have expressed concern at the effect on their trade.

Uisce Éireann say that "Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times".

The utility says that although the work is starting a week later, it will not end a week later.

"With works now commencing on 16 June, we would like to assure the local community that we do not anticipate the amended start date leading to a delay in the completion of works."

They stress the need for the works.

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"Uisce Éireann is confident in the benefits this will bring to the Mountmellick community. Replacing these old and damaged pipes will significantly lower the instances of bursts and outages on the network, eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean water lost into the ground.

"The works will also improve the operation of the network by reducing the need for frequent repairs to aged watermains, resulting in a positive impact on leakage."

Earlier, Uisce Éireann stated that no water outages are planned so far, but if they are needed, two days notice will be issued.