£6.5m flood scheme ‘to begin next summer’

£6.5m flood scheme ‘to begin next summer’

2 September 2020

WORK on a £6.5m flood alleviation scheme for Newcastle’s Shimna River is to start next summer, it has been confirmed.

Department of Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said this week that the work is to start next summer and will take a year to complete.

The news comes after over 300 homes in the Bryanford Road area were severely flooded when the Shimna River burst its banks from Storm Francis rainfall last week.

It was the second time that many of the same homes were flooded — which left some residents not able to return to their homes for upwards to a year afterwards — since the last major flood in 2008.

Residents have claimed that a scheme was promised after the 2008 flood and are angry that the work was not carried before the latest flood incident.

Those affected will have to wait for another two years before a flood alleviation scheme is in place to protect further flooding to their homes.

A Department for Infrastructure spokesman identified that a delay in starting the scheme, which is currently on the department’s Notice of Woks, as being due to “to protracted lands agreement issues”.

He added: “The scheme will require some £6.5m of investment and will involve the construction of flood walls which will emanate from the Bryansford Road bridge. 

“The total length of flood defences will be 1,400 metres. The detailed design of the Shimna Flood Alleviation Scheme is now complete with the procurement of a contractor due to commence imminently.”

The spokesman added that the minister had asked officials to do all that they can to escalate this.

Minister Mallon said: “I was in Newcastle last Tuesday visiting resident’s homes and could see for myself the high levels of flooding, the damage, the disruption and the very understandable upset felt by people.

“I gave the residents I spoke with my commitment that we will deliver on this long-awaited flood alleviation scheme. 

 “I am committed to delivering this project and have asked officials to do all they can to escalate construction because we have to make sure that residents are not put through this horrendous ordeal again.”

South Down MP Chris Hazzard has written to the minister asking her to establish “a full and detailed review into flood resiliency in Newcastle”. 

The Sinn Féin MP said he had recently visited many residents and listened to families “left devastated as their homes were destroyed for the second time in just twelve years”.

He added: “It’s clear that there are a number of flood resiliency issues that need to be addressed moving forward. 

“First and foremost, of course,  is the completion of the Shimna River Flood Defence Scheme. As the previous Infrastructure Minister in 2016, I was able to allocate significant funding towards the final design and commencement of this important flood alleviation scheme. 

“However, as we unfortunately are all now aware, in recent months this scheme has been delayed due to disputes with landowners and other legal issues. 

“It’s vitally important the department resolve these issues as soon as possible and commence construction on the scheme.”

Mr Hazzard identified other flood related issues that needed to be addressed in Newcastle, including damaged culverts running under the Shimna Road which cause flooding along the road and the adjacent streets periodically, and also causing storm waters and sewage to block up in nearby homes. 

He said: “It is my understanding that this will remain a problem unless there is a significant upgrade of the culvert. This needs to be prioritised in the time ahead. 

“Further, as again evidenced by last week’s flooding incident, there remains issues with the existing flood defence system on the Burren River — which in fact increases the flooding for many homes in the Shimna Road/Bryansford Avenue area as flood waters are unable to drain away. 

“I visited a number of homes where gardens, garages, and internal areas were destroyed as a result of double valves and other engineering solutions not working as designed on the Burren River flood wall. This needs to be looked at as a matter of priority and resolved.”

Mr Hazzard also repeated his call for the minister to bring forward a support package for those people affected by the flooding: 

“As families continue to pick up the pieces in the days ahead there is an urgent responsibility on the minister and the Department to support families impacted by the consequences of this tragic flooding incident and restore confidence that the department are doing all in their power to better mitigate these incidents in future,” he added.

Cllr Andrew McMurray praised the multi-agency and community flood response, but said he will push for questions to be asked as well as seeking assurances for finances to repair damage caused.

The Alliance councillor, who represents the Mournes constitutency, said: “Praise must go to the relevant statutory agencies which were involved in the initial response and subsequent support being offered to residents. 

“There was also great community spirit, both by individuals and voluntary groups, shown in responding the clear-up, as well as the subsequent response posed by the aftermath of such displacement.

“Individuals from Unit-T were out offering what they could, local churches and The Pantry food bank have also been acting where they can. Though I know there is so much more going on that I haven’t been a witness to, as well as others working quietly in the background. I wish to express gratitude to them.”

Cllr McMurray said he would be writing to the minister to seek answers to his questions about the full implementation of the flood alleviation scheme and if it was fit for purpose.