Mud problem heaping misery on County Derry homeowner

Patrick Gormley's muck covered home near Draperstown.

placeholder image — Patrick Gormley's muck covered home near Draperstown.

During heavy rainfall, mud runs down the slope of the road outside Patrick Gormley's home and passing vehicles splash the dirt over his property

A Draperstown homeowner has expressed his frustration over a muddy mess outside his home.

The mud problem outside Patrick Gormley’s Disert Road home is causing both misery and an inconvenience to him.

During heavy rainfall, mud runs down the slope of the road and sits outside Patrick’s home.

Passing vehicles are then splashing mud all over Mr Gormley’s home and car leaving a ‘complete mess’ behind.

The south Derry resident believes the problem is due to a dip in one side of the road outside his house.

Mr Gormley said the Department for Infrastructure have installed drainage gullies in the past however this has not solved the problem, which he says has been ongoing for years.

“I feel this problem has gone on for far too long, as a rate payer I don't deserve this and it's time I was listened to,” he said.

“I have explained before to the Department for Infrastructure that the only way to prevent this from happening again and again is to have the road levelled at the front of my house, rather than it dipping to one side at the front of my house.

“Whenever it rains, water running down the road crosses the road at the front of the house because of the slope in the road, carrying with it mud. The rest of the road is fine, there is no mud, that's because all the mud is washed down to the front of my house because of the slope in the road right in front of my house, the road needs to be levelled, it's as simple as that, otherwise this problem will continue year after year.”

Mr Gormley says he should not have to pay to have his home and car cleaned every time there is heavy rain.

“I shouldn’t have to pay to have this mess cleaned up. The dirt lies out in my garden too, the yard is sitting thick with muck and all this dirt is carried inside my home also, I actually dread it every time there is a heavy rain forecast. I don’t want a home that is pebble-dashed with muck and one where I can’t see out my windows because of the dirt, I want a nice home like everyone else.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “The Department is aware of the issue at this location. Local officials will call with the owner of the property to discuss potential solutions.”