Praise for assistance at Newcastle floods

Praise for assistance at Newcastle floods

9 September 2020

EVERYONE who helped those whose homes in Newcastle were engulfed in flood water last month have been praised for their efforts.

A significant number of homes in the the Bryansford Road, Bryansford Avenue, Larchfield, Shimna Road, Shimna Vale and Bryansford Gardens areas were affected by flood water.

Heavy rain from Storm Francis — in tandem with a high tide — led to severe flooding with residents being helped by their neighbours, Newry, Mourne and Down Council staff and others from a number of agencies.

At the local authority’s monthly meeting on Monday night, council chairwoman Laura Devlin thanked everyone who had helped in anyway during the emergency which devastated a large part of the resort.

Describing the situation on the ground as “simply devastating”, Cllr Devlin said many homes were destroyed with residents likely to be out of their respective properties for months.

“The situation was heartbreaking and I am grateful that Stormont infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon visited the resort and is to press ahead with the Shimna River flood alleviation scheme,” she said.

“Thanks are due to everyone and a many organisations who worked together extremely well in very difficult circumstances to help those in need.”

Work on the £6.5m flood alleviation scheme is due to start next summer and is expected to take a year a year to complete. It will involve the construction of new flood walls which will emanate from the Bryansford Road bridge.

It’s anticipated that the total length of flood defences will be 1,400 metres. The detailed design of the flood alleviation scheme is now complete and the procurement of a contractor is due to commence imminently.