Disruption expected as major work in Mucklagh and Screggan underway

Major work to replace over 11 kilometres of water mains prone to bursts in Mucklagh and Screggan outside Tullamore have got underway.

The work by Irish Water, working in partnership with Offaly County Council, is set to continue for a number of months.

Irish Water said it will result in a more reliable water supply for all customers. This means reduced leakage on the network which will improve water pressure to homes and businesses. Operational and maintenance costs will also be reduced as the network operation will require less maintenance. 

The works commenced on May 16 in Screggan and May 28 in Mucklagh. The works in Screggan involve the decommissioning and replacement of problematic water mains along the L2-011 from the junction with the N52, for 5.2 kilometres towards Rahan village.

The works in Mucklagh involve the decommissioning and replacement of approximately 6.1 kilometres of problematic water mains. The locations in this area to benefit from these works are:

Charleville Road from the roundabout with the N52 for 1km towards the town

Kinnity Road from the Ballard roundabout for approximately 1km towards the Golf Club
- Ballard Lane
-Mucklagh Village from the graveyard to the Screggan Road
- Beechpark Estate
-The Bungalows Estate

In both areas existing pipes will be replaced with new modern high density polyethylene plastic pipes. The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to the customers’ property boundary and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. 

Irish Water has planned the works in short sections in order to limit impact on customers. Traffic management will be in place over the course of the works.

Irish Water will carry out the necessary closure of a 100 metre section of the L2011 as part of the Screggan works, from June 25 to 29, in order to ensure there is no disruption during the Junior and Leaving Certificate State Exams. 

Likewise in Mucklagh consideration has been made of works in the community around the time of the Tullamore Show on August 12 and main routes will be kept clear of works in the lead up to, during and after this event. 

Irish Water said the works may involve some short-term water shut offs and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water shut offs. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times. 

Residents and businesses in the areas of the works have been notified and customers can call the Irish Water customer helpline on 1850 278 278 for any questions in relation to the works. 

Meanwhile, work has also begun this week to replace an ageing water main and public side lead service connections in Kilbeggan.

This project commenced on Tuesday May 22 and will involve the decommissioning and replacement of approximately 500 meters of ageing cast iron water mains from The Distillery on the Main Street, on The Square and to the post office roundabout in Kilbeggan. 

These works will be carried out by GMC Utilities Group Ltd on behalf of Irish Water and are expected to take four weeks to complete.

The works involve laying new water service connections from the public water network to replace any lead service connections that are currently in place. Service connections are the pipes that connect a customer’s property to the public water mains in the street. These lead service connections are being replaced with modern high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipes to ensure a safer, more reliable supply of water to customers in the area.

Traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works. Local and emergency traffic will be maintained at all times.