Monday, June 20, 2005Kennedy's Bar
Fitzmaurice fumes at flood damage to Kennedy's Bar
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In the aftermath of last night's flash floods caused by the worst thunderstorms in living memory, Kennedy's Bar was once again mounting a clean up operation only four weeks after reopening. A flood in May caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the popular Tyne Dock pub, and licencee Carl Fitzmaurice was just getting back on his feet, after spending thirty thousand pounds on new oak flooring, carpets, cellar equipment, beer pumps and lines, refrigeration etc. When I arrived this morning the roads were still closed as council workmen continued to pump water from his cellar, before starting to clean up the layer of sewage infected sludge coating the streets. Click pictures to enlarge Carl explained that his problems are exacerbated by Northumbrian Water's sewers and drains. They are only 4 inches in diameter and lead directly to the river, when we have a high tide and the river is full the drainage systems cannot cope with any extra demand and they quickly back up onto the streets. At one stage last night flood waters were three feet deep inside and outside of his bar, customers were quickly called out to help save a stranded motorist when her car began to float and fill with water. "Northumbrian Water are in a long running operation of cleaning out silt from a 1.5 kilometre stretch of sewers and drains, when really they ought to be investing in larger pipework", said Carl. "I will now have to get in touch with the insurers and start all over again, the pub will have to close again because the bacteria in the sewage will quickly become a health hazard" he complained. Carl Carl Fitzmaurice (right) pictured discussing his problems with a local journalist. The markings around the fireplace show the level of the heavy sludge, the water level was a foot higher than this. Considering the frequency of flooding at Tyne Dock and the continuing costs of cleaning up and reinstating damaged properties, it's high time that our local Councillors and MP put heavy pressure on Northumbrian Water to replace the worn out and inefficient sewerage system in this area and replace it with pipes of a considerably larger cross section, this is the only viable solution to the problems faced all too regularly by Carl Fitzmaurice and his long suffering neighbours. Come on guys........let's see some ACTION! Other areas where inadequate drainage added to the problems last night were Ullswater Gardens, where the Neighbourhood Services Department spent several hours helping the elderly residents. Yet again these poor people have had to suffer because of the poor drainage system. (I believe it is the same network of pipes that serves Tyne Dock.) The old people's homes in West Way, opposite the Lord Ashleigh public house, were also inundated, again on the same network of pipes. I know that last night's weather was exceptional, but flooding in these three areas is not, it is now almost commonplace whenever we have haevy rain. |
About Me Curly Born in 1956 Sanddancer Sunderland fan Male Retailer Former Borough Councillor View my Profile Contact Email Curly south-shields AT blueyonder DOT co DOT uk Got a story? Got a tip off? Got some scandal? Let me know! 07941386870 Search Search this site Comments How do I make a comment on this blog? Links Curly's Corner Shop website Curly's Photoshop My Message Board Shields photo gallery RTG Message Board Sunderland AFC Blog Site Feed Blogroll Me! Past December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 |