Gilford Road Water Mains Rehabilitation

Uisce Éireann in partnership with Dublin City Council, is replacing problematic water mains on Gilford Road, Sandymount, Dublin to provide a more reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality.

The works involve the replacement of approximately 400m of cast iron watermains of with new modern pipes and the construction of 570m of new watermains. The programme to replace the water mains on Gilford Road will commence on 23 May 2022. These works are being carried out as part of Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.

The section of works will take place on Gilford Road from the junction of Gilford Road and Sandymount Avenue to the junction of Gilford Road and Strand Road. 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.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by GMC Utilities Group and are expected to be completed in August 2022. 

What are the benefits of the works?

• Reliable Water Supply – Replacement of problematic water mains and service connections will reduce the instances of bursts and interruptions to the water supply reducing disruption for homes and businesses in the area.
• Reduced Leaks – Replacement of problematic water mains and service connections will eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.
• Improved Water Quality – Removing existing old cast iron and lead from the public water network and replacing them with new pipes will reduce the risk of contamination.
• Improved Operation and Maintenance – These works will deliver efficiencies including cost savings by providing improved water network operation that will require less maintenance in the future.

Traffic Management and road closures

In order to complete the works on Gilford Road safely and efficiently, a phased road closure will be required for the duration of construction from late-May to mid-August. Works will begin at the Sandymount Avenue end of Gilford Road in order to limit the impact on school access until summer holidays.

For phase 1 of the works Gilford Road from Sandymount Avenue to the junction with Park Avenue will remain closed from 23 May to 1 July. The suggested diversion for southbound traffic is via Sandymount Avenue to Merrion Road and continue on Merrion Road to Aylesbury Road/Sydney Parade Avenue onto Strand Road. Alternatively, Strand Road can be accessed via Sandymount Square and Newgrove Avenue.

For phase 2 of the works Gilford Road will remain closed from the junction with Park Avenue to the junction of Gilford Road/Strand Road from 1 July to 12 August. The suggested diversion for south bound traffic is via Park Avenue to Sydney Parade Avenue and on to Strand Road. Alternatively, Strand Road can be accessed via Sandymount Green and Newgrove Avenue.

Dublin bus services which utilise Gilford Road will be rerouted via Sandymount Square, Newgrove Avenue, Strand Road and return on this route via St. Johns Court.

Local and emergency traffic will be maintained.

Will customers be affected by the works?

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. We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient. Works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.