Youth league head critical of NIW over pitch sewage

Youth league head critical of NIW over pitch sewage

30 November 2011 - by DAVID TELFORD

A SOCCER administrator has welcomed an admission from Northern Ireland Water that it is responsible for raw sewage seeping onto sports pitches in Downpatrick.

The Dunleath Park pitches have been closed at various times over the past three years in particular after they became contaminated with sewage seeping onto the playing surface at various locations.

The latest closure came three weeks ago, with the pitches reopening last weekend after a clean-up operation.

In a bid to address the problem, NI Water has unveiled plans to invest £2m to bury a huge sewage collection tank at Dunleath Park and hopes work on the project can start in the New Year.

Mr. Justin Wynn, chairman of Downpatrick Youth Football League, welcomed the admission from NI Water but said he is “extremely disappointed” it has taken the company so long to admit there is a problem and come up with a solution.

Mr. Wynn suggested NI Water’s inability to address the sewage problems at Dunleath any sooner showed contempt for the 900 children who regularly play soccer on the sports pitches every weekend.

“NI Water obviously has no idea about how may people use these pitches otherwise they would have acted much sooner,” he declared. “In the past, the organisation has denied responsibility for problems with sewage seeping onto the sports pitches, but it has now come up with a solution. This is work which should have been carried out years ago.”

Mr. Wynn said the problem was not Down Council’s fault and said its response in the wake of the latest incident is in stark contrast to NI Water’s inability to get to grips with the issue over the years.

He explained the local authority has repositioned two of the main sports pitches away from areas where sewage has bubbled up from beneath the surface in the past.

“The Youth League put this particular proposal to the council a matter of weeks ago and didn’t expect the work to take place until the start of next season. However, it’s officials have been fantastic and carried out the work last week in the wake of the latest sewage incident.

“The work has been greatly appreciated by many people and the Youth League can’t thank Down Council enough for what it’s done. Many people approached me last weekend to say they have never seen Dunleath Park looking better.

“The work to extend the pitches is greatly appreciated and Down Council clearly recognises the importance of these pitches to junior and senior footballers right across the district.”

Mr. Wynn said as a result of the council’s work to extend a number of other pitches at Dunleath Park before the start of this season, an additional 1,100 square metres of playing space has been created.

He added: “I hope NI Water’s proposed work will start in the New Year as planned. Sewage should not be allowed to contaminate sports pitches in this day and age.”