The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan, dated 23 November 2006:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a parliamentary question about what the planned timetable is for the completion of the upgrading and replacement of the Stranmillis Road foul and storm drainage system (101852). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
At a meeting with Water Service officials in December 2004, you were advised that a major upgrading of the public sewer at Stranmillis Road was included in the capital investment programme to begin during the 2005-06 financial year. Subsequent investigations carried out by Water Service indicated that the proposed work could result in serious flooding occurring at the junction of the Stranmillis Road and Malone Road and, as a result, commencement was deferred. Water Service informed you, and local residents, of the position in April 2006 and gave an undertaking that, pending the outcome of further investigations, the existing system would be inspected on a regular basis and any blockages would be removed as quickly as possible.
The latest investigations have concluded that the overall solution to the drainage problems involves the upgrading and replacement of the sewers over a much wider area. This will require a major programme of work and incur significant expenditure. As the commencement of the work will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of funding, I cannot, at this stage, provide a firm timetable. I will, however, ensure that you are kept informed of developments.