HC Deb 17 January 1990 vol 165 cc258-9W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has received any complaints about flooding at the rear gardens of dwellings at Four Winds park, Castlereagh; what proposals he has to remove the cause of this flooding; what works were carried out at the location of this flooding during the month of December 1989; what assessment he has made of the dangers to young children living at Four Winds park due to this flooding; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

A complaint was received by the Department of Agriculture on 16 December 1989. Flooding was caused by an obstruction in a culverted section of the watercourse to the rear of the dwellings and the Department deployed pumps to alleviate the flooding and removed debris from the entrance to the culvert.

Responsibility for the efficiency of the watercourse lies with riparian occupiers. The culvert, which in any case is inadequate to discharge storm flows, was installed without the consent of the Department and in 1986 residents were asked to have it upgraded in size: householders will again be advised of their responsibilities.