‘It is clear a comprehensive flood scheme is an essential investment’

11 June 2025

FOR many, the memory of the devastating floods that engulfed parts of Downpatrick in November 2023 is still profoundly raw. Scores of properties submerged, dozens of livelihoods shattered, an entire community left reeling; it was a stark and unforgettable reminder of our vulnerability to the forces of nature.

Looking to the future, it is abundantly clear that a comprehensive flood alleviation scheme for Downpatrick is not merely desirable; it is an urgent, essential investment in our town’s resilience and the well-being of the local community.

Independent investigations have since confirmed that weeks of relentless October rainfall, coupled with high spring tides, overwhelmed the Quoile River’s normal discharge into Strangford Lough.

This not only caused the river to burst its banks but also prevented the town’s drains and watercourses from relieving the deluge; trapping floodwaters in Market Street and other low-lying areas.

For many local traders and homeowners, the subsequent winter months were a relentless struggle to rebuild and recover.

The initial financial aid, while a crucial first step, was merely a stopgap. The underlying anxiety that such devastation could strike again at any moment remains palpable.

True peace of mind, and the robust foundation for future confidence demands a far more significant investment in public infrastructure.

The psychological burden of flooding on our community cannot be overstated. Beyond the immediate physical destruction and crushing financial ruin, there can be a profound sense of helplessness, anxiety, and even trauma that lingers long after the waters recede.

In the months that have passed, I’ve spoken with many in our community who now endure sleepless nights during spells of wet weather, tormented by constant worry with every heavy downpour, almost paralysed by the fear of losing everything again.

For our local traders, the impact is even more complex. It’s not just about lost stock or damaged premises; it’s the profound disruption to livelihoods, the agonising uncertainty for their employees, and the immense stress of rebuilding a business from the ground up.

In the days preceding the flooding in Downpatrick, I was involved in the community response to residential flooding in Newcastle; where an inadequate drainage system had again succumbed to sustained heavy rainfall.

Fortunately, the impact was largely limited to isolated areas near the Burren River, precisely because the much larger Shimna River Flood Alleviation Scheme prevented widespread devastation.

The Shimna Flood Scheme, completed less than 12 months before the 2023 floods at a cost of £6.5m, proved its invaluable worth.

Yet there was a time when its worth was debated by officialdom, questioning whether the investment represented a ‘wise use of public funds’ citing a very ‘minor’ benefit-cost ratio of only 1.2 – implying that the £6.5 million investment would ‘only’ yield £8m in avoided flood damage over the scheme’s 100-year design life.

Narrative

As the Minister for Infrastructure in 2017, I distinctly remember having to push back against this narrative, making the case that the scheme should progress to design stage.

Today, the tangible benefits of such a strategic flood defence or unquestionable.

More generally, the scientific consensus on climate change paints a sobering picture for all of us.

We are already experiencing warmer, wetter winters and an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

The ‘once-in-a-generation’ floods are becoming more common. Projections indicate a significant, escalating rise in flood risk from all sources – river, surface water, and coastal.

While Downpatrick may have a history of flooding, the accelerating impact of climate change means that past events are merely a prelude to potentially worse scenarios if we fail to act decisively. We simply cannot afford the dangerous luxury of complacency, hoping future deluges will somehow spare the town centre.

The threat is not static; it is dynamic and rapidly escalating, and our current defences are demonstrably insufficient to meet these growing challenges.

Given these realities, it’s clear that flood alleviation schemes are not an optional luxury; they are foundational elements of a resilient society. Such investment in public infrastructure provides tangible, robust protection for homes and businesses, directly safeguarding property and livelihoods.

But the benefits extend far beyond direct damage prevention.

Robust flood defences instil crucial confidence in residents and traders alike, actively encouraging economic investment and fostering business confidence.

Significantly, they also reduce the crushing long-term costs of recovery, both financially and socially, by preventing repeated cycles of damage and disruption.

Having explored 14 possible options, a comprehensive feasibility study has now identified a preferred option for a Downpatrick flood alleviation scheme that would protect more than 100 homes and businesses in the town centre and nearby low-lying areas.

It was reassuring to see that as the report was published this week, the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, visited Downpatrick to speak to local business and community representatives about the need for strategic

investment in public infrastructure in rebuilding community resilience.

The proposed scheme will now undergo further investigation and rigorous assessment to determine its final economic viability.

But let’s be absolutely clear – the cost of inaction far outweighs any investment required for Downpatrick.

Our community deserves to be protected. Our residents deserve to sleep soundly, knowing their homes are secure. Our businesses deserve the stability to thrive without the constant threat of being wiped out by floodwaters.

Investing in this crucial public infrastructure isn’t just about concrete and engineering; it’s about investing in the wellbeing of our community, the future of our local economy, and our collective ability to adapt to the undeniable realities of a changing climate. The time for decisive action is now.

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