Major water network upgrade set to boost Blackrock's progress and unlock economic potential

03 October 2023

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Louth County Council, is progressing a significant project aimed at upgrading and enhancing the water network in Blackrock. This vital initiative not only supports social and economic growth, including planned housing development, but also substantially improves the capacity and operational performance of the current water network, benefiting homes and businesses alike.

Scheduled to commence on 2 October, the project will involve the installation of 2km of new water mains between the R172 Sea Road and Rock Road. By enhancing the local water infrastructure, this development will pave the way for progress and prosperity in Blackrock and unlock its full economic potential.

Speaking about the benefits, Padraig Hanly, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann said: “This project represents a significant investment in the region, highlighting our commitment to providing improved infrastructure and sustainable solutions for the local community. The upgrade will improve the capacity of the existing water main in the area, improving performance and reducing demands on the current network."

Padraig added, “On behalf of Uisce Éireann, I’d like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and cooperation as traffic management will be necessary as the project progresses .Although there may be some temporary inconvenience, we are confident that the long-term benefits will overshadow any short-term challenges."

To ensure minimal disruption for the local community, the project will be implemented in three distinct phases. The phased approach is designed to minimise the impact on residents, businesses, and commuters while prioritising their safety and convenience throughout the process. Accordingly, various traffic management measures will be implemented in the affected areas to facilitate the safe delivery of the works.

Phase 1, beginning on 2 October and lasting for 6 weeks, will start on the R172 Sea Road. This section will operate under a Stop/Go system as the project progresses southwards in rolling stages. This arrangement allows for continuous traffic flow Phase 2, set to start in mid-November, will require a temporary road closure on the Rock Road, from Old Golf Links Road to Sandy Lane. Specially designed diversion routes will be in place to alleviate any inconvenience caused. It is important to note that local and emergency access will remain fully functional during all phases to ensure the safety and convenience of residents and businesses. Finally, Phase 3 will commence in February 2024, focusing on the Rock Road junction with Sandy Lane up to the junction with Old Golf Link Road. Similar to Phase 1, a Stop/Go system will be implemented in rolling stages. This staged approach is expected to facilitate a smooth transition and minimise disruption throughout the final phase.

We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient and work crews will make every effort to minimise disruption to the local community. Standard working hours will be between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information, please visit the Dedicated Project page.

Uisce Éireann’s customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X (formerly Twitter) @IWCare with any queries.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment. To find out more visit our website.