Ulster Unionist MLA, Roy Beggs is continuing to press DRD Roads Service for a timescale for work to bring the roads and drains servicing the Lindara development in Larne up to standard. Mr Beggs was recently advised that Lindara is the housing development with the highest value of outstanding roads bonds in the whole of Northern Ireland.
Roy Beggs, East Antrim MLA said:
“Deidre Mackle the Divisional Roads Manager for our area has confirmed to me in writing that none of the streets, footpaths, drains and sewers servicing Lindara are adopted, but that what is known as Article 11 enforcement action has been initiated to draw down the bonds which the developer had secured to make sure that the outstanding work is completed. I have been told that ‘large scale’ works are required to bring the streets to adoption standard where the public authorities- specifically DRD Roads Service and NI Water will take on responsibility for upkeep and maintenance.
Remedial work has to be carried out on the roads, footways, retaining walls, street lighting, storm drains, sewers, manholes and pumping station. I have been assured that NI Water have now offered to carry out all remedial work to the sewers and that Roads Service is liaising with them regarding a start date, programming and costing. Once the work on the sewers is complete, there will be road works to achieve completion of the services, roads and footpaths which will lead to adoption. ”
A Roads bonds is a sum of money deposited by a developer in a financial institution which covers the cost of bringing infrastructure up to standard should the developer become insolvent. Developers are required to take out these surety bonds under the Private Streets (NI) Order 1980. Adoption is the term used when after inspections, the local authority (DRD Roads Service) takes over responsibility for new streets provided they meet construction standards. The adoption also means that the Roads Service and NI Water take over the responsibility to repair defects if any issue arises in the future. Without adoption of the area, the responsibility could remain with local residents.
Mr Beggs continued:
“I share the frustration of Lindara residents regarding the length of time this whole process is taking. The company which built Lindara made unfulfilled promises about finishing street and footpath surfaces and then went into administration in late 2009. The saving grace is that the Roads Bonds are there and can now be utilised, but the whole process has been slow and bureaucratic. The adoption system is currently subject of a Regional Development Committee enquiry, but in the specific case of Lindara, I will continue to press local Roads Service and NI Water to draw down the bond money and get the necessary work done as soon as possible.”
The UUP East Antrim MLA added:
“There is also a salutary lesson here for house buyers. Always use the ‘buyer beware rule’ when purchasing. Where no road bonds exists for an unadopted road,, residents fronting onto that street could ultimately have to bear the extra costs of bringing the development roads up to adoption standards before Roads Service will assume responsibility. There is also a responsibility on conveyancing solicitors to properly advice would be house buyers about these matters.”