Cllr Willie Clarke Says Persistent Flooding Concerns in Newcastle Cannot Be Ignored

COUNCILLOR Willie Clarke has spoken out following the Newcastle Councillors Group receiving correspondence from DRD Minister Danny Kennedy’s office in response to a letter sent by them expressing their concern about flooding in the Mourne View estate in Newcastle. The Councillors collectively requested funding to identify ownership for the maintenance of the Mourneview Estate in Newcastle and provide remedial works to address the flooding issues at this location. The letter assured Councillors that the pumping station serving Mourne view Park is operating to full capacity and functioning as designed. Councillor Clarke added: “This is in stark contrast to the reality of the situation. “While the Mourne View estate and neighbouring Burrendale estate are still being flooded on a continual basis, then one has to question how effective these measures are. The capacity has to be increased or an alternative solution designed because current measures are not bringing a resolution to the problem of flooding in the Mourne view road and Burrendale Park Road area. “A long-term solution must be found for the flooding problems at Mourne View Rd/ Burrendale Park. I will be requesting Sinn Féin colleague Chris Hazzard MLA to raise the issue in the Assembly with DRD Minister Danny Kennedy, requesting that he releases the necessary resources to resolve the problem. “Mourne View residents have faced years of flooding and they continually face the possibility that flooding may return, given the nature of the storm drainage system. The very least that can be expected is that a scheme is costed and designed to alleviate the problem. “I have received a number of complaints in relation to flooding of gardens and drive ways in Burren  Park, and Beechfield Park in Newcastle. As a consequence I have requested a meeting with Roads Service, Rivers Agency,  to discuss what is now a reoccurring problem for people in the area. Since the installation of the flood defence along the Burren River, surface water is no longer able to run off into the river.”]]>