Once complete, this project will be good news for the local area as the upgraded water mains will improve the reliability and security of the local water supply, drinking water quality and will also help reduce leakage. The scheme is scheduled to commence at the end of July and will continue until November 2014, subject to budgetary approval. The majority of this essential improvement work will take place in the Larne area, including the Mill Brae Road, Drumahoe Road, Linn Road and Ballyhampton Road areas of Larne. The work will also take place in Newtownabbey, including the Doagh and Ballyclare Roads. Finally, work will also take place in Ballyclare, including the Ballyeaston Road and the Longshot. An NI Water spokesperson said: “NI Water, in co-operation with DRD Roads Service, will do everything possible to keep any disruption to a minimum. The majority of the work wil l also be completed using environmentally-friendly trenchless technology, which means that most of the work will be completed without the need to open large trenches in the area, which will also help to minimise disruption. “NI Water and our contractor Farrans Construction will carry out letter drops in affected areas to advise residents of this work. We would like to thank the residents and road users in advance for their co-operation and patience during this essential improvement work. There will be some disruption and delays at peak times while this work takes place, but we would like to assure customers that every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.” DUP MLA for east Antrim Alastair Ross welcomed the announcement and said: “I have already spoken with NI Water and Roads Service about the need for improvements to the infrastructure, especially in the Larne area, and so I am pleased to see that a long term solution will shortly begin.” Alliance MLA for east Antrim Stewart Dickson described it as “fantastic news” and added: “In the long term, this investment will benefit not only local infrastructure, but also public health. “NI Water have assured me that, in conjunction with DRD, they will try to keep disruption around these works to a minimum. Local residents affected by the works will be updated by NI Water in due course.”