The Department for Infrastructure Has Highlighted the Importance
of Partnership Working in Its Management of Flood Risk.
In Recent Years, As We Have Witnessed Climate Change and the
Devastating Implications It Can Bring About Locally and Globally,
the Importance of Flood Risk Management and the Ability to Work
in Partnership with Local People, Local Councils and Local
Businesses Is Crucial.
A Spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure Said: Flood
Risk Management Remains a Key Priority for Dfi, Through
Both the Development of Flood Alleviation Schemes, As Well
As Working with Communities Right Across the North to Boost Our
Climate Resilience. Flood Risk Management Is a Complicated and
Multi-faceted Area of Work, Which Is Why It Is Important That,
When Necessary, We Carry out the Detailed Background and
Investigative Work Necessary to Get It Right.
In the Autumn of 2023, the South and East of the Country
Experienced Unprecedented Rainfall with the Wettest October in
over 153 Years of Records. Over the Last Two Years. We Have
Been Working to Put in Place Schemes to Protect Those
Areas.
In Downpatrick, A Feasibility Study Has Identified Viable
Solutions to Protect over 100 Properties, with Further Work Now
Being Undertaken to Develop a Business Case for the Potential
Flood Alleviation Scheme, Including a Detailed Assessment to
Determine If This Preferred Option Will Be Economically Feasible.
This Work Was Accelerated Following the Flooding and the Business
Case Is on Target to Be Finalised in Spring 2026.
In Newry, Assessment of the Preferred Option for Phase Of Three
Interconnected Flood Alleviation Schemes, has Commenced and
Will Include Development of an Outline Business Case As Well As
an Environmental Screening Exercise. The Draft Outline Business
Case Is Expected in the Spring of 2026.
The Design Stage of the Portadown Flood Alleviation Scheme Has
Now Been Successfully Completed, and the Procurement Process Has
Commenced. Subject to the Project Maintaining Its Viability, It
Is Anticipated That a Contractor for Phase 1 of the Works Will Be
Appointed by the Autumn or Winter of 2026.
Recently in Newcastle, We Witnessed How Heavy Rain in the Mournes
Caused Substantial Damage to the Road and Flooding in That Part
of Newcastle. This Flooding Occurred in a Different River
Catchment from Where the Existing Flood Defences Along the Shimna
and Burren Rivers Have Been Constructed. The New Flood Defences
Within Newcastle Have Been Tested During Severe Weather Since
Construction When They Have Reduced the Impact of River Flooding.
Investigations Continue into the Recent Flooding in the
Tullybrannigan Area. We Also Continue to Work with Other Agencies
and the Local Community Resilience Group to Seek Long Term
Solutions to Flooding from Surface Water Drainage Systems in the
Area.
There Are Currently 50 Community Resilience Groups Crgs) Right
Across the North at Locations Which Have Experienced Historical
Flooding. This Includes Working with the Now Well-established
Newry Business Community Resilience Group, New Flood Resilience
Groups in Portadown and Meeting with the Downpatrick Crg to Offer
Ongoing Support. We Thank All of the People on All 50 of Our Crgs
Who Give up Their Time Voluntarily to Work Alongside the
Department and Our Multi-agency Partners to Help Their
Communities Be As Prepared As Possible to Respond to Weather
Emergencies.
There Are Also a Number of Recommendations from the Review into
the Floods of Autumn 2023, Such As the Development of a Flood
Forecasting Service, Which We Continue to Progress As We Continue
to Seek Further Improvements to Help Meet the Challenges of Our
Ever-changing Climate.”
