No further review for Newtownstewart flood alleviation scheme

THE Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has again ruled out conducting a further review into a potential flood alleviation scheme in Newtownstewart.

Previous studies have shown a project "would not be cost beneficial" despite past incidents of widespread flooding in the town, the department said.

Instead, DfI says it will conduct maintenance and inspections to reduce the risk.

The update was contained within a report to councillors on the Environment and Regeneration (E&R) committee of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

At a meeting of council in July 2022 members passed a motion stating: 'Council understand the concerns of local residents, businesses and others who have been impacted by recent floods, (and) council will now monitor the progress of flood mitigations in affected areas by having a standing flood report on E&R Committee.'

The report to councillors stated: "Officers have made contact with relevant colleagues in the following statutory agencies to ask that they provide a monthly update in relation to flooding issues: DfI/NI Fire & Rescue/NI Water/NI Housing Executive/Red Cross/WHSCT," the report to councillors stated

"Any issues that members raise in respect of flooding will be raised with the statutory agencies and the response will be included in the monthly report."

Flooding incidents in the city, Drumahoe and Eglinton are referred to in the report as well as Newtownstewart.

The town's Strule River overflowed its banks in 2017 flooding homes in Castle Brae as well as commercial premises and caused substantial damage to the local club and other recreational facilities at Vaughan's Holm.

Local politicians and community representatives have long lobbied for additional flood prevention measures and this intensified following the unprecedented flooding of 2017, while other bouts of heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in the intervening period have threatened to inflict further damage.

The same facilities in the town were submerged in floodwater again following heavy rainfall and melting snow back in February 2022, with businesses and homeowners looking on anxiously each time there is prolonged downpours.

Following the 2017 flooding incident consultants were appointed by DfI to assess the viability of a scheme in the town.

The report identified seven homes, five commercial premises, a church hall and the grounds of the local GAA club all located in close proximity to the River Strule as being most at risk by flooding.

It also critiqued three options with varying measures ranging from full to partial protection of the areas affected however it recommended against each option on the basis that they were all financially unviable.

That assessment has been reiterated to council in the monthly flooding update report.

"Following the significant flood event that affected large areas of the North West in August 2017, the department carried out a flood study to assess the flood risk to Newtownstewart from the River Strule," the report added.

"The aim of the study was to assess the level of flood risk to properties in the town and to identify if there were any viable engineering solutions to alleviate this risk.

"Unfortunately, the study, even after being reconsidered further, has shown that a flood alleviation scheme at this location would not be cost beneficial and at present there are no proposals to carry out a further review.

"However, the department remains committed to carrying out watercourse maintenance and regular screen inspections in the area, to help ensure that there is no increased risk of flooding."