Foyle Street in Derry has reopened much to the relief of traders.
The road has been closed since August to facilitate a major upgrade to the city centre’s water and sewerage infrastructure.
It reopened on Thursday and will remain open until Monday, January 6 when the “essential” upgrade work will resume, NI Water said.
Local shop owners report trade is down during the week by up to 25 per cent and 40 per cent at the weekends during the upgrade works,
In a statement, NI Water said it was grateful to “the local businesses and wider public for their ongoing support as we deliver this essential new water and wastewater infrastructure”.
The company added it was “pleased to be in a position to provide this break in construction activity and reopen Foyle Street for the Christmas and New Year period”.
Chief Executive of Derry Chamber of Commerce Anna Doherty said Foyle street traders have “borne the brunt” of the ongoing works.
“They have done so with great grace, and I am glad to say they will have the opportunity to share in that Christmas trade,” she said.
“We are seeing an increase in footfall and it is very positive generally in the city,
“Hopefully Foyle Street traders will get their share of that now,” she added.
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