Shimna River scheme to have 1,430m flood wall

Shimna River scheme to have 1,430m flood wall

2 February 2022

A NUMBER of Sinn Fein politicians were recently provided with an update on work on the £5m Shimna River flood alleviation scheme.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard was joined by Mournes councillor Willie Clarke and Slieve Croob’s Cathy Mason for a site visit where they met engineers in charge of the scheme.

Designed to protect over 300 homes, the scheme was signed off shortly after a number of properties were left under several feet of water in August 2020.

Heavy rain from Storm Francis — in tandem with a high tide — led to severe flooding in the Bryansford Road, Bryansford Avenue, Larchfield, Shimna Road, Shimna Vale and Bryansford Gardens areas.

Many residents were forced out of their homes with the current flood alleviation scheme expected to be completed by the end of this summer.

The work involves the construction of new flood walls which will emanate from the Bryansford Road bridge with the anticipated length of new flood defences in the region of 1,400 metres. 

The detailed design of the flood alleviation scheme has been complete for some time and was also remodelled before work got underway to ensure the most up-to-date information from Storm Francis was incorporated into it.

Cllr Clarke said it was good to have an opportunity to view progress and speak with engineers overseeing the scheme which is being carried out by Dawson WAM.

The Newcastle scheme will see the construction of 1,430 metres of flood walls and embankments that will extend both upstream into Tipperary Wood and downstream into Islands Park from the New Bridge on the Bryansford Road.

Cllr Clarke was one of a number of politicians who helped when the flooding struck the resort in 2020, wreaking havoc across a wide area and is pleased with the progress being made.

Engineers estimate that the flood alleviation scheme will take 12 months to to complete, with the work designed to provide enhanced flood protection will reduce flood risk for 312 homes and businesses in Newcastle.

Cllr Clarke said residents who have been affected by several floods at this part of the resort over recent years will be relieved that the flood alleviation scheme is underway.

“The scheme will make a major difference and is designed to ensure that residents will no longer have to endure the upset and misery of their homes being not only flooded, but destroyed,” he added.