Robin Newton MBE MLA

ROBIN Newton East Belfast DUP MLA has reported he will be calling on the Assembly to hold an adjournment debate on the continual East Belfast flooding problems. While this is an issue for Northern Ireland as a whole it is East Belfast that is facing the major problems.

Robin Newton said,

“There is a huge amount of concern within East Belfast householders and business community around this now frequent flooding.  Having met with many of those at the very sharp end of this problem I can fully appreciate their constant fears of being flooded each time it rains.

There can be little that is more worrying than having to watch as flood levels rise knowing you are virtually powerless to stop the water and sewerage entering your property.

Short term measures and some financial compensation are helpful but the longer term solution needs to be put in place. This will only come about through major investment in the sewerage and water infrastructure.

As current investigations into the Loop, Knock and Connswater rivers and the sewerage infrastructure are concluded the consultants reports need to be fully and urgently considered. Follow-up action must be taken and we should be aiming for the gold medal standard in solving this problem; silver or bronze models will just not do.

I will be submitting a request to the Assembly’s business committee to have this matter debated as soon as possible.”