Uisce Éireann planning major works in Dundalk & Blackrock

Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) has confirmed that it has major works planned for Dundalk, aimed at increasing the capacity of the wastewater infrastructure, among which is the installation of a new wastewater rising main between Coes Rd Wastewater Pump Station (WwPS) and Dundalk Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

It has also confirmed that it is assessing a project to connect an element of the Blackrock wastewater network to the Dundalk network, feeding the Dundalk WWTP.

The planned works have meant that the Coes Road, which had initially been included by Louth County Council on its additional road works programme for this year for resurfacing, has been removed, with resurfacing works to take place on Tom Bellew Avenue in Dundalk in its place.

Dundalk councillors were made aware of Uisce Éireann's plans for the Coes Road last week, at a special meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, where councillors were to approve additional roads under the 2025 Road Works Programme.

Due to Louth County Council's tender process for the 2025 Road Works Programme yielding what it said were “extremely competitive rates, resulting in a significant cost saving”, the total value of the successful tenders was approximately €1 million below the annual allocation, resulting in the local authority being in a position to include additional roads in its 2025 programme.

Among the additional roads initially included in the programme was Coes Road East, a 900 metre stretch of road.
Councillors were told at the Dundalk Municipal District special meeting however, that the local authority was proposing to take Coes Road East off the list as it had been informed in the previous few days of Uisce Éireann's plans, and to replace it with Tom Bellew Avenue.

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At the meeting, Dundalk councillors also approved stretches of the Armagh Road at Kilcurry (R177-48) and Carnbeg (R177-5); De La Salle Terrace; Rock Road (LP-3161); and Greenore (R175) among the additional roads in the 2025 programme.

The N52, Christianstown (R215), and Drumleck (R166-312) had also been included on the list of additional roads, but as councillors were concerned that these roads may be in the Municipal District of Ardee, Dundalk councillors were therefore not in a position to approve them, they were not approved at last week's meeting.

The Dundalk Democrat contacted Uisce Éireann to understand more about its plans for Dundalk. A spokesperson for Uisce Éireann said that: “Uisce Éireann is committed to delivering public drinking water and wastewater services in Co. Louth. We are continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development while enhancing the environment.

“There are several projects currently in the design phase aimed at increasing the capacity of the wastewater infrastructure in Dundalk. One of the key projects includes the installation of a new wastewater rising main between Coes Rd Wastewater Pump Station (WwPS) and Dundalk Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The works in this area are planned to commence in mid-2027, with completion scheduled for 2029.

“Additionally, we are assessing a project to connect an element of the Blackrock wastewater network to the Dundalk network, feeding the Dundalk Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). This Blackrock Local Network Reinforcement/ Load Transfer project is subject to budget approval and is scheduled for completion by 2029.

“The Dundalk WWTP itself will undergo an upgrade, with detailed design efforts commencing. This upgrade is being designed with sufficient treatment capacity for a 25 year horizon from date of completion, including the load from Blackrock WWTP. The current programme for the Dundalk upgrade extends to 2033, with the full transfer of all the Blackrock load dependent on the completion of several other network projects.

“WWTP upgrade projects typically have delivery programmes spanning 5-7 years once detailed design has commenced. This is due to the need for modelling studies of the receiving waters, preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), obtaining planning permission, and securing an EPA license, all of which must be completed before construction can begin.”

Louth County Council confirmed with the Dundalk Democrat that it had made the decision to remove the Coes Road from the 2025 roads programme due to Uisce Éireann's proposed works; as well as indicating that it will maintain the defects in Coes Road in the meantime; and that currently, works will have no impact on the Inner Relief Road Active Travel Scheme.

A spokesperson for Louth County Council, said that: “The Coes Road resurfacing contract was removed from the 2025 roads programme last week because Uisce Eireann has proposed works to greatly increase capacity at the Coes Road pump station. The council learned of Uisce Eireann’s proposed works in recent days. Louth County Council is committed to maximising public funds and given the nature of Uisce Eireann’s works it would not be prudent to progress road resurfacing in 2025.

“The decision was made by Louth County Council to defer the proposed resurfacing of the Coes Road from 2025 programme until 2029 in line with the expected completion date for Uisce Eireann’s works. The council will maintain the defects in Coes Road in the meantime and ensure good surface maintained. As approved by the members, the funds from the Coes Roads will be diverted to Tom Bellew Avenue resurfacing in 2025.

“Regarding the impact on Active Travel plans, the proposed works by Uisce Éireann has minimal interaction with the overall Inner Relief Road Active Travel Scheme. Louth County Council and Uisce Éireann are currently in discussions to facilitate advanced works for Uisce Éireann over this short stretch of the Coes Road junction which, subject to agreement, could be carried out during the construction of the active travel project.

“Currently there will be no impact on the Active Travel Scheme, which is intended to be tendered to a restricted panel of contractors at the end of August, with the appointment of a preferred contractor, subject to NTA approval thereafter.”

Following last week's Dundalk Municipal District special meeting, the Dundalk Democrat contacted Green Party representative, Dundalk South's Cllr Marianne Butler, who shared her thoughts on Uisce Éireann's plans, and the removal of Coes Road East from the roads programme.

Cllr Butler acknowledged that, “yes, the council have been informed that Uisce Eireann intend to upgrade the pipe from the bypass, all along the Coes Rd and eventually the Point Rd all the way to the waste water treatment plan on Lower Point Road. Works are scheduled to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. As a result and as discussed at the meeting on Wednesday Coes Road East is being removed from the additional road works programme for this year.”

Cllr Butler admitted that, “this is incredibly disappointing but I agree it makes no sense to resurface a road one year and have Uisce Éireann dig it up the following year. I requested at the meeting that businesses in the Coes Road are informed of the the decision and the reasons why. Also that in the meantime that a good patch up job is done on the road.

“I also recall how disruptive similar Uisce Éireann works were back in 2022, when pipes were replaced from St Helena's Park, on the Bypass and then to the Quay Street area. A well thought out plan is needed when Uisce Eireann works begin in 2026 is vital to minimise the disruption to the many businesses on the Coes Rd.

“I am also conscious that a major broadband cable runs the length of the road, it is imperative that this network is not disrupted during works.”