Residents welcome flooding proposal

Residents welcome flooding proposal

20 January 2016

RESIDENTS in Annsborough whose homes were threatened by flood water three times in just over a week have welcomed commitments to address the issue.

During a meeting with representatives from Northern Ireland Water, the Rivers Agency, Transport NI and Housing Executive last week, undertakings were given to prevent rising flood water from threatening homes at Annsborough Park.

Consideration is being given to providing a new drain directly outside residents homes, while the Housing Executive is considering a request to increase the height of garden walls which were breached by flood water.

Annsborough Park resident, Martin Sloan, has welcomed the commitment to help and said while “words are welcome, residents want to see action on the ground.” He said had it not been for the Fire and Rescue Service, homes at Annsborough Park would have been deluged by flood water over the Christmas and New Year period.

Welcoming last week’s meeting, Mr Sloan said it was the first time he can remember officials from so many statutory agencies coming together to discuss residents’ concerns since homes were last flooded in 2008.

“Everything we heard last week sounds good, but we want action,” he continued. “The various agencies are to examine what else they can do to make our homes safe which is welcome news. Residents should not have to live in fear every time there is heavy rain,” he added.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie is pleased last week’s meeting resulted in “positive actions” being taken forward by the various agencies. 

The MP added: “Along with residents, I want to see evidence of work in the area in the very near future that will alleviate the risk of future flooding. I have spent time with residents and very much appreciate it is very difficult to live with the threat of flooding and losing your home, valuables and precious memories.”

South Down MLA Sean Rogers, who organised last week’s meeting, has welcomed the “beginnings of progress” to sort out the flooding issue.

“We have established that one of the problems was a Transport NI gully which drains into an NI Water system, but the local pumps shut down for whatever reason, resulting in the gully failing to empty and the area subsequently flooding,” the MLA explained.

“NI Water will undertake an overdue clean up of debris in the area, while Transport NI will now consider installing a second gully to take up the slack should one overflow and will evaluate whether the pipes from the gully to the nearby river are working efficiently.”

Mr Rogers added: “Adding to the recent flooding problems was an overflow of Castlewellan Lake with water running through Wood Lodge, down Mill Hill into the village. As the lake is privately owned, the Rivers Agency will now liaise with Forestry Service to establish what can be down to prevent this from happening again.”

Chris Hazzard MLA confirmed he has contacted the relevant departments to establish the effectiveness of a new flood wall scheme in the area last year and if it was “built to address this recurring problem.” He said it must also be established if retaining water in Castlewellan Lake contributed to the recent flooding. 

Councillor Patrick Clarke said he has been advised by the Rivers Agency that initial investigations indicate the primary cause of the recent flooding was a problem with a combined sewer serving the area with the situation exacerbated by a blocked grille on an undesignated watercourse which provides an outlet to Castlewellan Lake.

Councillor Stephen Burns highlighted the need for vigilance given predictions of more wet weather over the coming weeks, adding: “ The succession of storms is making life difficult and the Fire and Rescue Service deserves praise for its great work in Annsborough keeping homes dry.”