Infrastructure Department under fire over Derry flooding downplay
Durkan calls for urgent action to address repeat flooding at Foyle Road
SDLP MLA for Foyle Mark H Durkan has called for a collaborative and comprehensive response from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Northern Ireland Water, to address repeat incidents of flooding along the Foyle Road in Derry.
Following Mr Durkan’s Assembly Question to the Minister for Infrastructure, it has emerged that drainage along the route has been desilted just six times over a ten-year period.
The Foyle MLA said: “The failure to comprehensively deal with issues along the Foyle Road is unacceptable.
“It's now commonplace after heavy rainfall or any kind of adverse weather, that the Foyle Road becomes impassable resulting in traffic disruption right across the city centre.
“I’ve repeatedly raised concerns with the Department for Infrastructure and Minister Kimmins. On more than one occasion the Minister replied to my requests stating there wasn't a flooding problem at this route.
“Now to learn that the drainage in the area has been desilted only six times over a decade, shows a complete lack of urgency. It’s frustrating that the Department continue to downplay the issue when local people know all too well the anxiety disruption and damage that each heavy rainfall event brings.
“DFI Roads and NI Water need to work together to future proof this area to prevent or at least mitigate flooding. We're talking simple measures like ensuring regular and frequent desilting to maintenance of gullies.
“We need a collaborative and comprehensive response to tackle this issue head on and that's what I'll continue to push for.”