NIW under pressure over aging sewers

NIW under pressure over aging sewers

25 April 2012 - by David Telford

POLITICIANS in Ballynahinch have joined forces to seek an end to ongoing problems with the town’s creaking sewerage system.

They want an urgent meeting with Northern Ireland Water’s chief executive amid increasing concern about sewage spills in a number of areas, including Lough Park at the rear of Ballynahinch Community Centre.

Politicians say there are also problems with sewage spills at the Magheraknock Road, Riverside Road, Hillside Drive, Lisburn Road and Glenlough areas.

With work due to start on a £2m environmental improvement scheme in Ballynahinch town centre next year, politicians want assurances from NI Water they will not rip up roads to replace ageing sewer pipes once the streetscape scheme has been completed.

Councillors Anne McAleenan, Patsy Toman, Walter Lyons, Garth Craig and Mickey Coogan hope that by joining forces, NI Water will respond to their concerns.

Councillor McAleenan said it is clear Ballynahinch’s existing sewerage system “can’t cope” and revealed planning applications for new homes was refused recently due to this very reason.

“There have been problems at the Lough Park area for many years which have never been satisfactorily addressed. There is much work to be done, including the completion of a survey on the town’s sewerage network which was started and then abandoned, with no explanation from NI Water why,” she declared.

“The results of the survey will provide the information needed to implement a strategy to deal with the issues.”

Councillor McAleenan added: “Work on Ballynahinch’s streetscape scheme starts next January and we don’t want NI Water coming into the town to dig up streets to repair old pipes when the scheme is completed. Any work which is required must be programmed now and completed before the environmental improvements are finished.”

Councillor Craig described Ballynahinch’s sewerage network as “exceptionally complicated” and said many sewer pipes are made from clay and need replaced. He said the design of the town centre sewerage system has been likened to a patchwork quilt, with NI Water responsible for some sections and the Roads Service in charge of others.

“It appears the sewerage system is something of a mess and it’s important the issues councillors have raised are addressed via appropriate improvement work,” he added.

Councillor Lyons said upgrading the existing sewerage network is vital to allow for Ballynahinch’s future residential and commercial growth and echoed calls for improvement work to be carried out before the completion of the environmental improvement scheme.

Councillor Toman said local politicians are “frustrated” at the lack of action to address sewage issues in Ballynahinch in the past and have decided to join forces in a bid to have much-needed improvement work carried out.

Councillor Coogan said he shares the frustration of his colleagues about the lack of action and hopes NI Water will respond positively to the concerns which have been raised, particularly at the Lough Park area.

He added: “Many children play sport at this area which is also a popular walking venue for locals. Sewage spills should not be happening at this area or any other location for that matter and the problem needs addressed.