Drumahoe flood prevention scheme delay '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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Live
17 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Vernon Kay urges BBC colleagues not to call HR after cheeky remark leaves them stunned
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Vernon Kay has pleaded with his BBC Radio 2 colleagues not to contact HR after making an "awkward" comment about the weather. The UK was basking in glorious sunshine last month, with the the Environment Agency even declaring drought status for the north-west of England following the driest start to spring in 69 years. However, the weather has turned for most of the country since the beginning of June, with the Met Office warning that a large area of the UK is set to be struck by fierce thunderstorms on Saturday, according to the Mirror. The recent wet weather has not gone unnoticed by Radio 2 host Vernon, who told his BBC colleague Scott Mills that he had an unfortunate moment while discussing the rain with the production team. (Image: Instagram) He said: "We were talking about the age gap between us on-air and the production team. Had a bit of an awkward moment this morning. You know the weather's turned, it's raining outside. I said to the Radio 2 team, a lot of desks on your left hand side, 'Hi team, morning news team, ooo the weather's changed. "And someone said 'Yeah it's horrible'. So I said 'Outside it's raining but inside it's wet', East 17. Didn't go down very well. I'm like 'Before you get onto HR, it's East 17." The lyrics in question come from the title song of East 17's second studio album 'Steam', which was released in the UK on October 17, 1994 by London Records. The album was certified 2× Platinum in the UK. However, with the song being released over 30 years ago, it seems that many of the BBC's production staff were unaware of the lyrics, before Scott came up with an idea. (Image: Getty Images for Great British Racing) Scott said: "Well, you should have checked it by me first and then gone to the office, do it the other way round next time. Come and check with me the phrase before you say it to the whole office." Last week, Vernon admitted to listeners that he was feeling a 'bit ropey' after enjoying BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. During the show, the 51-year-old confessed that he suffers from a seafood allergy. It means Vernon is unable to eat prawns or cockles - a type of small edible shellfish. He says he discovered the allergy after undergoing a test. Vernon said: 'Radio 1, how are you feeling? A bit ropey, no, honestly, terrible, I'm sure I've eaten a prawn or a cockle. I'm allergic to cockles."
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick flood prevention scheme could cost £20m
A study commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure has recommended building a £20m flood prevention scheme in town was hit by serious flooding in November 2023 when Storm Ciarán brought exceptionally heavy rain to Northern engineers' report suggests a scheme involving culverts, embankments and 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 were reduced to a shortlist of two, which were considered technically preferred option would offer flood protection to 78 businesses and 28 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 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 concludes: "Further investigations are recommended prior to detailed design to mitigate some of these key risks and confirm economic viability through a business case." Analysis: Floods expected to get more frequent and severe by Barra Best, BBC News NI weather presenterHomes and businesses in Downpatrick were left underwater when Storm Ciarán hit in November 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 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 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 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".
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT: Racing set to resume after rest day
Racing is set to resume for the Isle of Man TT with a programme of three races following Thursday's rest on the 37.7-mile (61km) Mountain Course begins with the second Superstock race, which has been shortened to two laps, from 10:45 A18 Mountain Road is set to close at 09:00, with roads on the lower section shutting at 10:00 on what will be the penultimate race day of the two-week qualifying and racing have been severely disrupted by poor weather conditions. Friday's schedule includes the previously postposed second sidecar race, which has also been truncated. Friday's race schedule 10:45 - Superstock TT Race 2 (2 Laps)13:00 - Sidecar TT Race 2 (2 Laps)15:00 - Senior Practice Lap16:15 - Supertwin TT Race 2 (3 Laps) As Friday is a public holiday on the Isle of Man, lower roads around the course do not have to be opened between 17:00 and 18:00 so can remain closed until 21:30. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
