Residents of Drumclay Court, Enniskillen are still waiting for the road around the housing development to be finished after they raised concerns in February last year of large potholes and raised manholes putting drivers at risk of damaging their vehicles.

However, a representative of the developer, Jim Tummon, assures that the resurfacing works will be completed when they get final approval from the NI Water service regarding the improvements made to the sewers in the development.

The Impartial Reporter ran an article in February, 2020, after residents raised their concerns over the disrepair of the road, which has since lead to at least one resident having to have tyres on their car repaired after damaging them at the site.

The resident of Drumclay Court whose car was damaged told this paper this week that they are also concerned that the value of their property could decrease if the works on the road aren’t completed soon.

The resident said: “Towards the end of the first lockdown there were guys out who basically had to dig up all of the sewer systems. Then the Council came out and looked at it but since then there’s been no movement on anything.

“They’ve been out and filled in the holes the odd time whenever they start getting really bad, after people obviously complained to the developer, but bar that it’s pretty much in the same position, if not worse.

READ MORE: Who is going to take responsibility for this un-hole-y mess?

“When they came out and dug up some of the sewage systems, they put more manholes in so it’s still ducking and diving between them,” said the frustrated resident, who went on to explain that they’ve had to have two tyres repaired over the past year.

The resident added: “It’s decreasing the value of our properties. I think the rates were revised and our houses did decrease in value. When you buy a property, you expect it will be an asset; that it will increase in value, but this is obviously driving it down.”

When contacted this week, NI Water told this newspaper that they had been approached by the developer in November, 2019 seeking the sewers to be adopted.

The NI Water spokeswoman continued: “Following a site inspection, NI Water advised the developer in February, 2020 that there were significant defects with the sewers that needed addressed to allow the sewers to be adopted.

“The developer has recently confirmed to NI Water the issues identified have been addressed. NI Water will be undertaking further inspections of the sewers during February to ensure the defects have been resolved and they are ready for adoption.

“NI Water will always work alongside developers to progress the adoption process, however, the pace at which this can happen lies with the developer and how quickly they can complete the required work.”

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter this week, Mr. Tummon’s representative highlighted that when the developer bought the site, he “inherited all the problems with the site” and has spent a lot of money correcting them.

“He was taking the fall for all of the previous issues with it. I don’t think anyone realises that. As a result he was able to pay a bond of £70,000 in order to get all that corrected. We have most of the sewers corrected, we are just waiting for the final approval from NI Water regarding it.

“It has taken longer than what it probably should have slightly but he is working towards it.”