Fears over flooding in town

Fears over flooding in town

25 September 2024

THE Downpatrick business community is fearful that another wet autumn could lead to a repeat of last year’s devastating flood which engulfed the town centre.

Almost 12 months after businesses were submerged in five feet of water, an appeal has been issued to roads officials to ensure that all town centre gullies are cleaned on a regular basis and kept free of dirt and debris.

Business owners – concerned at the lack of progress to address their concerns over the devastating flood – have been lobbying politicians to ensure drains are kept clear and storm water can be taken away from the town centre.

The issue was raised at a special meeting on Monday night when the area’s most senior roads official addressed Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

Downpatrick councillors Oonagh Hanlon and Gareth Sharvin raised the gully issue with divisional roads manager Mark McPeake, who confirmed that gullies had been inspected recently with those that required work emptied.

Cllr Hanlon said it was essential the road drains are inspected and cleaned regularly, given the devastating events of last year and the current level of unease across the business community that premises could again potentially be flooded.

Traders are also concerned that no definitive plans for new flood protection measures have been drawn up by the Department for Infrastructure.

Cllr Hanlon said measures must be taken to prevent future flooding incidents are taken, including regular road gully cleaning and maintenance.

“Given the catastrophic impact of last year’s flood, this work needs to be carried out on a regular basis,” she said.

“Downpatrick’s business community has suffered greatly and deserves assurances of regular gully maintenance in a bid to help protect against flooding.”

Cllr Hanlon added: “It’s important we never again witness the scenes we did last year. There is concern in the business community and regular gully cleaning must be prioritised.”

Cllr Sharvin said he had also been approached by concerned members of the business community on the gully cleaning issue who are concerned about another wet winter could have in store.

He said no one wants to see a repeat of last year’s flood which decimated the Downpatrick business community.

The town centre was engulfed after the Quoile river burst its banks following the wettest October on record, with the repair bill in excess of £12m.

Almost 50 shops were affected by the flood water which took the emergency services almost three days to clear.

Water poured into business premises at a frightening rate, with shops in Market Street and St Patrick’s Avenue flooded and destroyed within a matter of hours.

Shocked traders, some of whom feared they would never reopen, were greeted by an apocalyptic scene, but helpless to act, looking on in stunned silence as the flood water continued to rise.

The Downpatrick and Co Down Railway, the Ballydugan Road and Dunleath Park were also badly flooded.