Analysis of Downpatrick’s flooding plan draws near

Analysis of Downpatrick’s flooding plan draws near

5 November 2025

WORK on an outline business case examining potential solutions to flooding problems in Downpatrick town centre is expected to be completed by next spring.

A comprehensive flood prevention scheme — commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure in the wake of the devastating town centre flood of November 2023 – would cost £22.5m if implemented in full.

The preferred option featuring a combination of culverts, embankments, drains and pumps and 100 metres of flood wall, would have the capacity to protect 106 businesses and homes and cost £2m to maintain.

A 338-page report estimates that implementing the “complex scheme” will save £26m on dealing with the aftermath of individual future flooding incidents in the town’s commercial heart.

There are also a number of recommendations from the review into the 2023 floods such as the development of a flood forecasting service which the DfI is continuing to progress and seek further improvements to help meet the challenges of an ever-changing climate.

While the study outlines a series of flood mitigation measures and what have been described as “feasible solutions”, they are being scrutinised in granular detail to examine their economic viability with this work part and parcel of the outline business case.

Senior Department for Infrastructure officials were tasked with adding up all the benefits that can be gained over the lifespan of the flood alleviation project and compare that against the cost.

When they complete work on the business case, a decision will be taken to press ahead with the scheme or not and how it will be financed if it gets the final green light.

Two years after the flood, the DfI confirmed last week that the business case will be ready in the spring, highlighting the importance of partnership working in its management of flood risk.

Officials say over recent years, many have witnessed climate change and the devastating implications it can bring about locally and globally, emphasising the importance of flood risk management with the ability to work in partnership with local people, councils and businesses is crucial. 

“Flood risk management remains a key priority for DfI, through both the development of flood alleviation schemes, as well as working with communities to boost our climate resilience,” a spokesperson said.

“Flood risk management is a complicated and multi-faceted area of work, which is why it is important that, when necessary, we carry out the detailed background and investigative work necessary to get it right.”

The DfI said that during the autumn of 2023, the south and east of the country experienced unprecedented rainfall, with the wettest October in over 153 years.

It said that over the past two years it had been working to put in place schemes to protect those areas. 

"In Downpatrick, a feasibility study has identified viable solutions to protect over 100 properties, with further work now being undertaken to develop a business case for the potential flood alleviation scheme, including a detailed assessment to determine if this preferred option will be economically feasible,” the spokesperson confirmed.

“This work was accelerated following the flooding and the business case is on target to be finalised in spring 2026.”

The DfI reaffirmed that work to determine the cause of recent flooding in the Tullybrannigan area in Newcastle is continuing, with some locals blaming a blocked culvert in Donard Forest.

Officials say the most recent flooding occurred in a different river catchment from where the existing flood defences along the Shimna and Burren Rivers have been constructed as part of a £5m scheme.

The DfI says the new flood defences within Newcastle have been tested during severe weather since construction when they have reduced the impact of river flooding, with officials working with other agencies and the local Community Resilience Group to “seek long term solutions to flooding from surface water drainage systems in the area”.