Work to separate stormwater from the combined wastewater network in Cookstown is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 29.

NI Water has identified the Molesworth Street area as a high priority for stormwater separation under its current programme. The scheme will involve installing dedicated stormwater pipelines and new manholes to reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, increase network capacity, and support local development.

Senior Project Manager Robert McLean said the project will remove over a hectare of drainage from the combined system. This is expected to relieve pressure on the local network and bring environmental benefits by cutting the frequency of spills.

The initial phase will focus on the Molesworth Street and Union Street junction, with pipelaying progressing along Union Street past the Railway Bar. This section is forecast to take three to four weeks. A second phase will be carried out in the layby between Molesworth Plaza and Cookstown Hockey Club.

Localised lane closures will be in place around the work sites, though access to homes, businesses and car parks will be maintained. All traffic management will be lifted for the contractor’s summer break from Friday, July 10, and reinstated on Monday, July 27.