Sewerage delay stinks

SIR, — I was shocked to read in last week’s edition that work to repair sinking sewers at the Hunter’s Mill housing development in Downpatrick may not start for at least a decade.

Northern Ireland Water estimates the repairs could cost in the region of £400,000 and confirmed a report carried out into ground conditions at this part of the town has indicated repairs cannot be undertaken until the ground has fully settled.

The suggestion that this will not happen for another 10 to 15 years is concerning and the question which has to be asked is what happens if there is a major failure with the sewerage system before then? Will repairs be carried out?

Hunter’s Mill residents are ratepayers and taxpayers. NI Water must surely start work to repair the problematic sewers now and not wait for 10 years before doing so.

Yours etc,

CONCERNED,

Downpatrick,

(Name and address supplied).