North Down Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has welcomed NI Water’s plans to stop sewage pollution along North Down coast and also at Kinnegar, Holywood. NI Water presented their investment plans to North Down Borough Council on Tuesday evening (8 March 2011) detailing how they intend to spend £10 million to upgrade Bangor ‘s water and sewage system over the next few years.
Commenting on the matter, Cllr Muir stated: “Contained within their plans is investment designed to reduce sewage overflows into Belfast Lough similar to those experienced last summer when I discovered raw sewage in the sea near Crawfordsburn and Helen’s Bay beaches. This sewage had been pumped into the Lough from the small river near Carnalea Golf Club. I warmly welcome these investment plans after I highlighted the disgraceful pollution of Belfast Lough last summer with comprehensive action now planned to plug the problem at Carnalea and elsewhere.
“Investment plans will involve upgrade of seven Sewage Pumping Stations plus upgrade or replacement of 20 combined sewer overflows with seven massive work packages taking place across Bangor . Work will also involve a new large tank at Bangor Marina to reduce the amount of raw sewage being pumped into Bangor Harbour .”
Commenting on the proposed works at Kinnegar, Holywood, Cllr Muir stated: “I was also encouraged to hear that NI Water plan to start work on the ground to eliminate the sewage pollution and odour problem at the Kinnegar Lagoons from Autumn 2011. After a relentless campaign I am glad to learn that my efforts to Lead Change has paid dividends with millions soon due to be pumped into Holywood’s sewage system to reduce and hopefully eliminate the ongoing problem of sewage pollution and smell. The problem has continued for far too long and affects both the local environment, residents, commuters and people working nearby. I will continue to lobby NI Water until the pollution and pong is eliminated.”
ENDS
Information concerning previous pollution at Carnalea mentioned above at http://www.andrewmuir.net/2010/08/muir-condemns-sewage-pollution-incident.html and http://www.andrewmuir.net/2010/09/sewage-pollution-incident-update.html