Sheer panic after flood gushes into clothes shop

Sheer panic after flood gushes into clothes shop

29 June 2016

ROADS officials have been urged to get to grips with a flooding problem to protect businesses in Ballynahinch town centre.

The appeal comes after a torrential downpour last Friday afternoon forced one businesswoman in High Street to turn customers away as she battled to keep rising flood water out of her boutique.

The incident is the third of its kind in the past 12 months which Lorna Digney described as “frightening.” She also fears that if the issue is not addressed, there will inevitably be more flooding placing, businesses at this part of the town at risk.

A cloud burst just after lunchtime Friday resulted in a large volume of water cascading into High Street from Church Road, overwhelming storm drains which saw water levels rise outside a number of premises.

Business owners say given that there have been a number of concerning flooding incidents in High Street over recent months, it is important the drainage infrastructure can cope with sudden downpours.

The most recent flooding incident comes after several million pounds were invested in a new streetscape scheme in the town centre but business owners are keen to see roads officials do all they can to protect their businesses.

While some flood water found its way into Ms Digney’s boutique, she was able to control its spread using a mop  and bucket. She also revealed that during her battle to keep the water out of her boutique, she had to turn several customers away.

“When the water level started to rise outside it was a case of sheer panic,” she explained. “Everything happened so quickly and it seems there appears to be a problem with one of the drains in High Street. It seems to be causing all the problems.

“What has been happening is an absolute disgrace. No business should have to put up with flood water running through their premises. It is inevitable that if something isn’t done, this will happen again.”

Ms Gibney said Transport NI has to get to grips with the flooding issue and “someone has to do something before it is too late.”

She added: “The town’s drainage network appears to have been neglected and business is hard enough without having to worry about being potentially flooded every time there is heavy rain. Something must be done to cure this problem. It seems the drains we have can’t cope.”

A TransportNI spokeswoman said the organisation installed an additional drainage gully along with new pipe work in the lay-by outside Iceland in Ballynahinch’s High Street last December following reports of an ongoing flooding problem. She said this appeared to have rectified the problem. 

“Following reports of further flooding last Friday, Transport NI has carried out further investigations. These found that there is no blockage and the gully and the pipeline the whole way to its outlet in Dromore Street is clear,” she continued.

The spokeswoman added: “Transport NI will undertake further investigations and monitoring to find out what caused this flooding incident.”