Fix leak before building school urges resident

Fix leak before building school urges resident

16 March 2016

NORTHERN Ireland Water has been urged to repair a leaking water pipe at the site of a new £3m primary school in Ballynahinch before contractors move on site within the next few weeks.

Drumlins Integrated Primary School recently secured the green light for its new base at Windmill Lane at the former South Eastern Education and Library Board’s (SEELB) headquarters in the town.

After more than a decade of planning, contractors are due on site shortly and pupils and teachers scheduled to move into their modern new home in September next year.

But a man who lives next door to the proposed new school site and who has been attempting to have the leaking pipe repaired, said it’s vital the issue is addressed before building work begins.

Mr Graham Rudd said he has no issue with the proposed new school, explaining he is highlighting the issue to ensure what he believes is an old drainage pipe is repaired now and not after the school has been built, potentially leading to unnecessary disruption and expense.

Mr Rudd said he has been in contact with NI Water and met an engineer to discuss his concern, explaining water is continuing to leak from the pipe into his back garden.

“The pipe runs along the proposed new school site and it must be repaired. When the former library headquarters was based at Windmill Lane I raised my concerns with the SEELB but the pipe continues to leak,” he explained.

Mr Rudd said he was told previously that NI Water would replace the pipe but this has not happened. He also said a bung fitted to the pipe by an engineer in order to cure the leak failed to stop water escaping.

“It is important to cure the problem now before the school is built. This is the sensible thing to do. I believe the pipe dates back to the late 1950s so it has been in place for some considerable time. I just hope NI Water takes my concern on board and finally resolves this issue,” he said.

Mr Rudd added: “I have been attempting to have the matter resolved for several years, so far without success. With work due to start on the new school, it is important the problem is repaired as soon as possible.”

Northern Ireland Water said contact has been made with Mr Rudd and that hopefully a solution can be found to the problem.  

A spokeswoman confirmed the organisation has investigated this matter in the past and carried out remedial works which have helped to alleviate the situation. 

She added: “Mr Rudd has been in written contact with NI Water recently, so further work may be considered if necessary.”