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RTÉ News
08-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Downpatrick flood prevention scheme could cost £22.5m
A £22.5 million (€27m) flood prevention scheme has been recommended for the town of Downpatrick in Co Down, which was devastated by flood waters in the autumn of 2023. The proposal by a team of engineers is now being examined by Stormont's Department for Infrastructure to determine if it would be economically viable. The commercial heart of Downpatrick was deluged with water in late October and early November 2023, with a depth of almost 2.5 metres in some places. It was the result of a combination of heavy rainfall over a two-week period and high tides which raised the level of the Quoile river, which flows just west of the town. Some 50 businesses were immediately devastated by flood waters, while a further 50 suffered loss of business due to road closures at the time and a significant drop in footfall for months afterwards. Some of the businesses never re-opened. A £10m fund was established to support businesses impacted but less than half was paid out, with £5.3m clawed back by Stormont's Department for the Economy. The Department for Infrastructure commissioned a study by Amey Consulting to assess options for reducing the risk of a repeat. A computerised simulation of possible flooding scenarios in the town was used to help identify the best ways to do so. The study considered 14 possible schemes which were reduced to a shortlist of two that were considered technically viable. The preferred option, a combination of culverts, embankments, drains and pumps, would offer flood protection to 78 businesses and 28 homes with an estimated cost of £22.5m including maintenance costs of around £2m. A cost-benefit analysis suggests the scheme would prevent flood damage which would cost around £26m to repair. Stormont's Minister for Infrastructure, Sinn Féin's Liz Kimmins, has said further work will now take place to determine if the preferred option is economically viable. Several traders in the town have said that they are not optimistic that the money will be made available. Images of Ciara Douglas wading through knee-deep water with communion dresses over her shoulder went viral on RTÉ's TikTok page with more than 2 million views. Her business, 'Making Memories for You', lost much of its stock due to flood damage. Ms Douglas said re-opening left her "substantially" out of pocket when her business was allocated around £30,000 from Stormont's support fund, despite initially being told there could be up to £100,000 available. She questions whether a new £20m flood defence system is necessary, saying the risk of future flooding could be substantially reduced if the town's storm drains were regularly cleared and maintained and the Quoile river dredged to remove silt. "I just can't see that scheme going ahead," said Ms Douglas, adding, "there's a lot of other stuff that needs done around this town so they should concentrate on that and do the work that's needed on the drains and the river. "The problem is they just keep arguing over who's doing it, is it going to be DFI (Department for Infrastructure), is it the council's job, is it the river agency's? "You know, why don't they just get together and get it done. End all the, 'you have to do it, and you have to do it, and this one has to do it'. Next thing we'll all be under water again and that's really what will happen," she said. Mal McGrady from Downpatrick's regeneration working group met Ms Kimmins to discuss the proposal and he has concerns about where £22.5m for the scheme will be found. "We can't rely on chance, we have to have preventative measures in place," he said. "My understanding is that that (funding) has already been redistributed to other ministerial portfolios and has probably been spent at this stage, so we are probably looking at new money." Mr McGrady added: "I did make the point to the minister that if these works aren't done and we have floods and further floods the long-term cost is going to be significantly more than that, and that would be the death knell for places like Downpatrick." However, Paul McCartan, whose family has run a shoe shop in the town for almost a century, is more optimistic. The shutters on their shoe shop in Market Street were closed for many months due to the water damage and they operated from a temporary premises. The original shop is now re-opened, and he said business is good, despite lower footfall in the town since the flooding. But he said there is a constant nagging fear of a repeat. "Of course, you still live with a bit of trepidation, but you try and put it to the back of your mind otherwise you wouldn't get out of bed in the morning, so you have to be positive," Mr McCartan said. But having spoken to politicians about the proposed flood prevention scheme, he believes it will go ahead. He added: "I've been assured the money will be available and is available if they come up with the right plan. I'm confident that we will see these improvements. "The bottom line is that DFI want to secure the future of Downpatrick, they can't risk the town sinking, the county town going under water. They want to future proof the town."
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downpatrick flood scheme could cost over £20m
A study commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure has recommended building a £20m flood prevention scheme in Downpatrick. The town was hit by serious flooding in November 2023 after a prolonged spell of rain in Northern Ireland. The engineers' report suggests a scheme involving culverts, embankments and pumps. The infrastructure minister said further work would be undertaken to determine whether the scheme would be economically viable. Liz Kimmins added: "Flooding in Downpatrick - and how to reduce that flood risk - is an extremely complex issue with many variables. "That is why it was important that a comprehensive study was carried out to inform the most viable and effective way ahead." The study, produced by engineering consultancy Amey, considered 14 possible schemes. These were reduced to a shortlist of two, which were considered technically viable. The preferred option would offer flood protection to 78 businesses and 28 homes. The total estimated cost of £22.5m includes maintenance costs of around £2m. A cost-benefit analysis suggests the scheme would prevent flood damage, which would cost around £26m to repair. The study cautions that what is proposed is a "complex scheme" and that given the risks and unknowns at this stage, it may become economically unviable as work on the design proceeds. It concludes: "Further investigations are recommended prior to detailed design to mitigate some of these key risks and confirm economic viability through a business case." Mal McGrady is the chairman of the Downpatrick regeneration working group, he said action needs to be taken now before flooding happens again. "We can't rely on chance... we have to have preventative measures in place... we need infrastructure changes in place to make sure this never happens again." He said the experts, the feasibility study and report should show how the damage from flooding has happened. "Reports will have set out and will set out what caused this or what potential accumulation of events caused this." After speaking with the Infrastructure minister, Mr McGrady said the costing of the scheme is coming out at "£22 odd million". He said the concern with that number is where the money will be found. He added that the unspent funding was not an option: "My understanding is that that (funding) has already been redistributed to other ministerial portfolios and has probably been spent at this stage, so we are probably looking at new money." by Barra Best, BBC News NI weather presenter Homes and businesses in Downpatrick were left underwater when Storm Ciarán hit in November 2023. The town centre and surrounding areas suffered severe flooding following weeks of heavy rainfall, with Market Street and low-lying parts of the town particularly hard hit. Floodwater was made worse by high spring tides that prevented the River Quoile from discharging into Strangford Lough, which would have helped lower flood levels. Downpatrick has suffered similar flooding incidents in the past. The commissioned study highlighted the need to protect sensitive habitats around Stangford Lough, as well as archaeological and historic sites in Downpatrick. With climate change expected to increase the frequency and severity of flooding, the Downpatrick Flood Alleviation Scheme, if it proceeds, could prove a critical step towards safeguarding the town's homes, businesses, and heritage. It comes after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said on Thursday that updated legislation for water and flood management would be a "major step forward". The NI Executive has approved bringing the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill to the assembly which, Kimmins said, would help "meet the needs of our growing population and adapt to changing weather patterns". 'We had three months of no customers after floods' 'My shop stock is just floating about after flood' Work begins to clear Downpatrick floodwater 'Footfall has dropped significantly since flood' Flooding has 'ripped the heart' out of Downpatrick
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Contrasting fortunes of two listed Victorian buildings on same street
On a street in north Belfast, two Victorian buildings with colourful histories sit facing each other. The Crumlin Road Courthouse and the Crumlin Road Gaol have had very contrasting fortunes since they both closed in the 1990s. The jail, which is owned by the Department for Infrastructure, has been transformed into a popular tourist attraction, a conference and wedding venue and is also now home to a whiskey distillery. Meanwhile on the other side of the road the courthouse lies empty and derelict. It has suffered numerous arson attacks and is a shell of its former self, with weeds and trees growing where its roof once was. However, new plans have now been submitted for a mixed-use development which could turn it into a hospitality, tourism, educational and commercial space. Both buildings were constructed in the mid-19th Century and designed by the architect Sir Charles Lanyon. The courthouse has changed hands a number of times since it closed in 1998 but various development plans have failed to get off the ground. Its new owners are hoping their proposals will prove more successful. Their plans include the restoration of the Victorian front of the building and the recreation of one of its courtrooms. A tunnel beneath the road, which connected the courthouse to the jail, would be reinstated and there would be a partial demolition and new build to the rear. Johann Muldoon, from Manor Architects, is involved in the new scheme. "For most of our heritage in Northern Ireland, we see all these proposals, but they really struggle to find a sustainable use that is economically viable," she said. "That is why I think a lot of our heritage seems to degrade." She hopes the mixed use plan for the site might improve its chances. "Why we have those proposed uses is to balance what we've got in terms of heritage offering, in terms of a tourism, against the commercial viability and the sustainability of it all." The sorry state of the courthouse stands in contrast to Crumlin Road Gaol on the other side of the road. Its former inmates included the likes of former Irish taoiseach (prime minister) Eamon De Valera, former Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley and IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands. It closed as a working prison in 1996 and is now a popular tourist attraction where the public can visit the cells and learn about its history. Local historian Tom Liggett, who used to give tours of the jail, thinks it is essential that its past is never forgotten. "While there are people who take a stance that all this should be destroyed and you should forget about it, I wouldn't agree with that," he said. "I think local history is told from our perspective - a working-class perspective - and it's hidden and it shouldn't be hidden." Last year a whiskey distillery opened in one of the wings. John Kelly, chief executive of McConnell's Irish Whisky Distillery, was among those behind the development. "A wing lay derelict for many, many years, and we saw the opportunity of bringing the McConnell's story, dating back to 1776, into a wonderful heritage listed building," he said. "For us, it's three parts of the business: it's the brand, it's the distillery and it's a wonderful tourist attraction." So can the courthouse learn anything from its opposite neighbour and should we as a society do more to protect our built heritage? Rita Harkin, the Architectural Heritage Fund's development manager for Northern Ireland, said: "We have to be able to use these buildings to tell our stories. "And that's a reflection of a city and a place that it's grown in confidence, to be able to look honestly at our past to use that to move forward." You can hear more on this story by listening to the latest episode of Red Lines. Belfast's Crumlin Road courthouse fire 'deliberate' The Crum: From conflict to concerts
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Pro-A5 carriageway campaigners urge construction to commence after ‘another family devastated by this road'
Bernadette 'Bernie' Cranley (82) died after the crash on the Mellon Road between Omagh and Newtownstewart on Saturday. The Co Donegal woman's silver Toyota Vitz collided with a blue Suzuki Vitara at around 12.30pm leaving the other female driver, who was in her 70s, seriously injured. The A5 Enough Is Enough group extended condolences to the grieving family of Ms Cranley and pointed to the latest tragedy as a reminder of why the upgrade is needed. 'Another family devastated by this road,' it posted on social media. 'Our thoughts and prayers are also with the lady who was seriously injured in the same accident. 'We are very cognisant of the fact that we are currently waiting on the judge's decision on the latest objection – what more evidence does he need that this objection should be thrown out? How many more people have to die?' Described as one the most dangerous roads on the island, there have been over 50 fatalities on the A5 since 2006. Plans were unveiled by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in 2007 to upgrade the route which will require the compulsory purchase of land to construct the new road – the scheme has been delayed by opposition, legal challenges and funding issues. Last October Mr O'Dowd confirmed his intention to proceed with plans to improve the main passage between Londonderry and Aughnacloy as part of a cross-border project to better connect Dublin to the north west region. The Alternative A5 Alliance oppose the project on the basis that its members, as landowners overlapping the proposed roadway, stand to lose as a result of it. More than 3,000 acres sprawled over 300 farms will be impacted by the project. The A5 Alliance delayed its approval in both 2013 and 2018 citing that DfI and its precursor group unlawfully failed to impose a time limit for carrying the scheme. The group has submitted a fresh judicial review against its construction claiming Stormont's targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions have been violated. In March the High Court heard how residents forced to sell their homes as part of the scheme had suffered a violation of their human rights. However, speaking at a press conference for the approval of the project back in October, Mr O'Dowd insisted it will provide the west with 'critically important infrastructure.' "Now we have achieved that, it's about moving towards construction and giving the people of the west, and indeed all of us, proper infrastructure where we can go about and do our daily business and benefit the economy,' the Sinn Fein MLA said. "The project will provide for critically important infrastructure, create jobs, benefit the economy and improve journey times. "We do recognise there are serious safety concerns on that road ahead of the upgrade.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Delays to flood prevention scheme 'disappointing'
A woman rescued from her flood-hit home in Londonderry eight years ago has said frustration is growing over delays to a flood defence scheme. On Wednesday, councillors in Derry were told the scheme for the Drumahoe area of the city is now at its design phase. It is expected to cost £5m and will not be completed until next year, councillors were also told. Dawn Grieve said that only added to residents' "frustration and disappointment". "We are no further on and we feel other areas in Northern Ireland are getting much quicker results," she told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. Mrs Grieve and two young sons, then aged two and four, were in their flooded home in Ivy Mead when they were rescued by tractor in August 2017. At that time almost two-thirds of the north west's average monthly rain fell in a single night. Hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded when record rain fell across counties Derry, Tyrone and Donegal. Further severe flooding caused widespread damage in 2022. Mrs Grieve said residents had been eagerly awaiting movement on the scheme to protect their homes ever since. "Yesterday the only new information, disappointingly, is the £5m cost. The design stage was to be completed by end of 2025, now it is pushed back to 2026," she said. She said that left the start and completion of the scheme in full without a definite timeframe. Mrs Grieve said getting flood insurance was a real problem while "some residents in my area worry about every single rainfall". "We just feel like it is something that could be fixed, this worry could be put to bed once and for all with the installation of this flood defence," Mrs Grieve said. The BBC has contacted the Department for Infrastructure for comment. Seven years and no flood defences 'unacceptable' More than 400 north west homes report flood damage Floods may force club from home stadium More than 100 rescued after NI floods
