Minister announces measures to minimise flooding at Cushendall

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has announced a series of measures taken to reduce flooding at the Tromra Road, Cushendall.

The Minister said: “The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Rivers Agency and Department of Regional Development (DRD), Roads Service have liaised and will continue to liaise on action in relation to this area.

“The Rivers Agency has undertaken emergency maintenance on the watercourse at Tromra Road to remove obstructions to flow, improve flow conditions in the channel and prevent further erosion of banks affecting roadways.  However it is unlikely that those works will enable the channel to contain flooding of the severity of the July event. Interim measures by DRD Roads Service, such as creating new or widening existing outlets on Tromra Road and Glenaan Road, have been identified and as many of these as possible will be implemented within the current financial year”.

Minister Gildernew also said: “Rivers Agency is in the process of commissioning a feasibility study of flood defence improvements at the locations at Tromra Road that were affected by flooding. The commission will take into account not only watercourse related flooding but also flooding from roads and overland flow. The Department of Regional Development has also agreed to investigate longer term measures to prevent floodwater building up at this location.  Any improvement proposals will of course be subject to viability, and availability of resources”.

Notes to Editors:

DARD Rivers Agency is the statutory Drainage and Flood Defence Authority for Northern Ireland.

DARD Rivers Agency and DRD Roads Service are undertaking a joint approach to minimise flooding in the Tromra Road, Cushendal.

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.