Downpatrick water scheme raises alarm

SIR, — As a resident of Russell Park in Downpatrick I attended a meeting last week at which an architect and a senior official from Northern Ireland Water were present to discuss proposed works at this part of the town.

I was surprised to learn the site where a holding tank and new pumping station are being constructed was sold to NI Water by Down Council.

I had approached local councillors before the meeting and they informed me they knew nothing about the council selling land at this part of the town.

The entrance to the construction site is going to remove five parking spaces and when I raised this issue at the recent meeting the people whom I quizzed shrugged their shoulders.

A so-called telemetry pole will be situated beside the pumping station and when I asked officials if it was safe, they informed me they could not guarantee this.

When I asked about the potential for smells at a proposed vent pipe, the officials were upbeat and told me an English firm which carried out a survey on the issue “was confident there would be no odour.”

To be told raw sewage would not smell I found to be both “patronising and alarming.” It’s my view that residents of Russell Park, Hunter’s Mill and Stream Street should be concerned at the proposed work as it represents an attack on our health and wealth and has implications for the value of our homes.

Yours etc.,

Mr. R. J. CROTHERS,

Russell Park,

Downpatrick.