Monday, February 27, 2006
Brinkburn
Why are some people never happy?
For a number of years our Council, Ward Councillors, pensioners' representatives, publicans, and myself have been involved in a running dispute with Northumbrian Water about serious flooding problems at Tyne Dock and the Brinkburn area (particularly Ullswater Gardens). A search of this site will reveal a number of postings on the subject. Countless approaches to our water supplier resulted in equally countless investigations, and little else.
Until recently, that is - a massive 3.5 million pound investment has seen contractors dig a gargantuan hole in the earth at what was once Brinkburn playing fields. The hole is now being lined with concrete, it's size is arguably larger than an Olympic swimming pool, it occupies the space previously covered by two football pitches and one rugby pitch. This engineering work will become a water tank capable of holding the same volume of water as six swimming pools, rainwater and drainage water will be stored here and gently released into the sewers leading to Tyne Dock , rather than flooding homes and gardens in the local area.
Northumbrian Water are so convinced that they finally have the answer to solve the dreadful problems experienced in recent years, so much so that they despatched high ranking managers to the homes of protestors, such as I, in order to "sell" the scheme. I bought it, I'm happy that a great effort is being made to resolve this long standing flooding problem for the people of Ullswater Gardens, Ascot Drive, Bisley Drive, Eldon Street, and Armstrong Terrace.
Once the tank has been capped, the earth will be replaced over the top of it, and the sports pitches reinstated, within a short period life will return to normal and most people ought to be happy and satisfied.
I wrote recently in this blog about my concerns at the amount of NIMBYS (Not In My Back Yard) popping up all over the town, and this issue is starting to suffer from the same intolerance. The Shields Gazette recenly reported the concerns of a small group of residents in Bisley Drive who are worried that the flood prevention scheme will create additional problems for them. After reinstating the sports pitches, the level of the land will be one metre higher than before, consequently they are worried that an occasional football may land in their garden!
I'm sorry to appear to be so intolerant of these views, but I'd rather have a football once in a blue moon than see my garden flooded three or four times a year! In fact, unless Wayne Rooney decides to make a guest appearance, it is unlikely that any of the users of the pitches will be able to deliver a shot of sufficient velocity to reach the boundary fence, never mind the gardens.
Link
The Shields Gazette
_________________________________________________________________
For a number of years our Council, Ward Councillors, pensioners' representatives, publicans, and myself have been involved in a running dispute with Northumbrian Water about serious flooding problems at Tyne Dock and the Brinkburn area (particularly Ullswater Gardens). A search of this site will reveal a number of postings on the subject. Countless approaches to our water supplier resulted in equally countless investigations, and little else.
Until recently, that is - a massive 3.5 million pound investment has seen contractors dig a gargantuan hole in the earth at what was once Brinkburn playing fields. The hole is now being lined with concrete, it's size is arguably larger than an Olympic swimming pool, it occupies the space previously covered by two football pitches and one rugby pitch. This engineering work will become a water tank capable of holding the same volume of water as six swimming pools, rainwater and drainage water will be stored here and gently released into the sewers leading to Tyne Dock , rather than flooding homes and gardens in the local area.
Northumbrian Water are so convinced that they finally have the answer to solve the dreadful problems experienced in recent years, so much so that they despatched high ranking managers to the homes of protestors, such as I, in order to "sell" the scheme. I bought it, I'm happy that a great effort is being made to resolve this long standing flooding problem for the people of Ullswater Gardens, Ascot Drive, Bisley Drive, Eldon Street, and Armstrong Terrace.
Once the tank has been capped, the earth will be replaced over the top of it, and the sports pitches reinstated, within a short period life will return to normal and most people ought to be happy and satisfied.
I wrote recently in this blog about my concerns at the amount of NIMBYS (Not In My Back Yard) popping up all over the town, and this issue is starting to suffer from the same intolerance. The Shields Gazette recenly reported the concerns of a small group of residents in Bisley Drive who are worried that the flood prevention scheme will create additional problems for them. After reinstating the sports pitches, the level of the land will be one metre higher than before, consequently they are worried that an occasional football may land in their garden!
I'm sorry to appear to be so intolerant of these views, but I'd rather have a football once in a blue moon than see my garden flooded three or four times a year! In fact, unless Wayne Rooney decides to make a guest appearance, it is unlikely that any of the users of the pitches will be able to deliver a shot of sufficient velocity to reach the boundary fence, never mind the gardens.
Link
The Shields Gazette
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