Parliamentary pipe inspection

26/07/2007

A North East MP has had the rare opportunity of standing inside a huge new sewer pipe.

Stephen Byers, North Tyneside MP, visited Northumbrian Water’s construction site in Shiremoor where the water company is upgrading its sewerage network.

As part of the £4.7 million improvement scheme, 2.5 kilometres of new sewer pipe will be installed along with a storage tank which will hold up to 6,000 cubic metres of wastewater.

The scheme, which began in January this year and will take up to 12 months to complete, is currently ahead of schedule and will help to reduce the risk of flooding to properties in the Park Estate area.  Locations include Allendale Crescent, Alwinton Court, Angerton Avenue, Dilston Close, Glendale Road, Horsley Avenue, Horton Avenue, Langley Avenue, Matfen Avenue, Harbottle Avenue, Millfield Avenue, Park Grove, Haddon Green, Haddon Close and surrounding areas. 

Stephen Byers MP said:  “It was fascinating to see what is involved in ensuring that our wastewater is dealt with effectively.  More frequent flooding is one of the main climate change challenges we need to tackle and it was reassuring to see this work take place.  This is the first time I have stood in a sewer pipe and was surprised at its size! 

Northumbrian Water’s Sewerage Operations Manager, Geoff Hartis, said:  “In times of heavy rainfall the quantity of rainwater entering the sewerage network has unfortunately resulted in flooding to some properties and land in Shiremoor and Wellfield estates and this can be most distressing for those affected.  It was a pleasure to explain this scheme to Stephen Byers MP which will reduce the risk of flooding to 146 properties.  The work is part of our five-year £380 million investment programme, between 2005 and 2010, to upgrade our vast sewerage network.”

Bogus callers are known to operate in Northumbrian Water’s supply area.  It is unlikely that anyone from the water company will need access into a customer’s property while this work is carried out.  If customers are in any doubt about the validity of a caller claiming to be from Northumbrian Water or the ‘water board’ they should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre.

For further peace of mind customers can also register a password – if anyone from the water company needs to access a registered customer’s home they will know the password.  They should either ring the Customer Centre or log onto www.nwl.co.uk to register.

ends

For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.