Now there's more than water in the pipeline

18/02/2005

People in Tynedale whose water supplies were cut when a torrential river Tyne flood washed away pipes crossing the river now have a fund to help them improve community life.

Northumbrian Water has announced its commitment to the communities in the Hexham and surrounding area affected, with the launch of its £150,000 Pipeline Fund.

The water company has also pledged a further £75,000 to Tynedale Council for the long-term plans to improve the riverside Tyne Green area.

Normally when water customers loose supply for a length of time they are entitled to a compensation payment in recognition of the company’s service failure but this standard does not apply when the circumstances are beyond the company’s control, like the exceptional severe weather experienced in the Tyne Valley.

However, Northumbrian Water received tremendous support from the people and agencies in the area affected and is committed to recognising that support with the creation of its Pipeline Fund.

The money will be shared out for community projects throughout the area which lost supply and the fund will be administered by the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

The Community Foundation, a charity which supports local community groups by encouraging donations and managing their distribution, will be sending out application forms and groups can also register their interest by emailing: general@communityfoundation.org.uk or by ringing 0191 222 0945.

It is hoped that Tynedale Council will be able to use the £75,000 to attract matching grant funding and until the long-term improvements begin the water company will temporarily re-instate the green which had to be dug up during the emergency pipeline construction.

John Mowbray, Northumbrian Water’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Environment, said: “The events of that week proved a great challenge to Northumbrian Water and we couldn’t have coped so well without the understanding of the people affected. The Pipeline Fund is recognition of their tremendous support.”

The Pipeline Fund has been established after consultation with WaterVoice Northumbria, the customer representative; Tynedale Council and other agencies.