Additional houses at Colonaire drives need for improved drainage system

The drainage system in Colonarie has to be redesigned to accommodate a heavier flow of rain water from roof tops now that more houses have been built in a new housing development in the area.

Speaking on NBC radio on Wednesday,October 12 Deputy Prime Minister, Montgomery Daniel said the existing drains and roads in Colonarie “were not built to take this amount of rain water.”

“We have to now redesign new drainage and road systems, to take care of this run off.”

Daniel revealed that the sum of $5 million is in this year’s Budget for such works in Colonaire, Cumberland and Noel in Sandy Bay.

He explained that at Colonaire, the government gave out 76 lots and several homes have already been constructed on these lands, while others are now under construction.

The minister said this means that there are now 76 more houses with run off water flowing onto the road in Colonaire.

“The drain that was initially established cannot take the water from these 76 houses,” Daniel stressed.

There are similar housing developments at Cumberland and at Noel in Sandy Bay.

Meanwhile, more families in the volcano red zone are to be relocated from the area where they now live near the ‘God Save the Queen’ bridge in Overland.

“What has been happening there is that you have erosion from both ends,” Daniel said.

He explained that the area is being eroded by the sea on one side, and by rainfall on the other.

Daniel, who is the Minister of Transport and Works said this piece of road needs urgent attention.

And added that the plan is “to bring the road inwards.”

A town hall meeting is scheduled to take place with residents in the area soon to inform them “as to what will be happening.”

The minister gave the assurance that houses will be built for the families who will be removed from this area.