Sir, – Northern Ireland has a wastewater drainage problem which threatens to destabilise our house-building programme. Experts predict the lowest number of social housing new-builds in a generation, just when demand is highest.
This is due to a lack of investment in our drainage systems and a political reluctance to impose water charges. Forty drainage networks across 30 towns and cities have been closed and NI Water has reported a £185 million shortfall in funding for 2024/25. It’s a dreadful situation for anyone hoping to buy a new home, move into a social house or build a new factory, and it is an economic car-crash for the construction industry. Urgent legislation is required to allow private developers to fund some of the drainage upgrades, and a new funding model is required for NI Water. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN POPE,
Chartered Civil Engineer,
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Former Alliance Party Councillor,
Banbridge,
Co Down.