By Ryan Sands
A SOUTH Down MLA has said that the sewerage infrastructure at Annalong Harbour “needs fixed urgently”.
Diane Forsythe (DUP) made the comment in a recent statement, having received a response to an Assembly question on the issue from Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd.
This had asked “whether he will review the need for urgent works on the sewerage infrastructure at Annalong Harbour to stop the recurring overspill of raw sewage”.
In his response, the minister stated that “the management of the public sewerage network is an operational matter for NI Water”.
“However, I have sought the requested information from NI Water and have been advised as follows: NI Water has completed a drainage area study of the sewerage network in Annalong, and developed an option to resolve an unsatisfactory intermittent discharge at the Main Street harbour storm overflow, which, when completed, will reduce the likelihood of flooding in the vicinity,” he continued.
“The project is currently at design stage.
“Delivery of this project is dependent on planning permission, land acquisition and the availability of funding.”
Mr O’Dowd added that, in the interim, the body’s operational staff will “continue to maintain the wastewater system in the area, to help ensure that it continues to operate at optimum capacity” and advised Ms Forsythe to engage directly with it through the channels for elected representatives.
“Making direct contact with NI Water will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of limited public resources,” he concluded.
Acknowledging the response, the local MLA said that she had raised the issue directly with the minister as she felt there had been “little evidence of it being taken seriously”.
“Whilst still relatively vague, I am pleased to have put this firmly on his radar and caused him to speak to NI Water on it,” she stated.
“I will persist on chasing the work needed to adequately address the shocking issues that have been allowed to continue in Annalong for so long, alongside Cllr Glyn Hanna, who is consistent in his lobbying for Annalong Harbour for a long time on a range of issues.
“This needs fixed urgently – the people in Annalong and visitors passing through deserve better.”
Last September, NI Water submitted a planning application for the upgrade of the existing harbour wastewater pumping station and for the upsizing of approximately 300m of existing sewers.
It has said that the project, which is dependent on statutory approvals including planning permission, will be considered for its next capital programme, which is set to begin in 2027.
