McGrath: Joined-up approach needed to get emergency support to flooding victims
SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has said that there must be a joined-up approach at all levels of government to get emergency support to those impacted by flooding.
Mr McGrath said that support must be substantial and delivered quickly to help all those who have been impacted across the North.
Mr McGrath said: “I’ve spent the last three days on the ground with our local businesses and residents that have been impacted by the worst flooding our town has seen in living memory.
“The businesses that have been impacted by this flooding are, for the most part, family run.
“These local families have spent generations building up their businesses, creating jobs and contributing to our local economy, they have been decimated at the worst possible time of the year, when they were preparing for Christmas.
“The Downpatrick community have rallied together as only we can, local agencies have been on the ground offering support, and now we need to see government step up to the plate and deliver for Downpatrick.
“Once the water is pumped and the clean-up operation commences, businesses will need to assess what they have lost.
“Government must be ready to provide swift and substantial funding to help these businesses.
“We have structures in place in Downpatrick to help with the revitalisation of the area, and these must be fully utilised and funded to begin the next steps for the town.
“We know that Market Street, St Patrick’s Avenue and other key areas will need major infrastructure action, including the restoration of public transport to the area and this must also get the funding that it needs.”
SEE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE FOR VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF THE FLOOD
(And check the Down News page for other links and videos on the flood).
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan said: “We need to see an immediate and joined-up approach at all levels of government to deliver the support needed to help all those impacted by this recent flooding across the North.
“As ii is often the case at times of crisis here, we have moved far too slowly and are now scrambling to assist people whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.
“Given the scale of the destruction we have seen over the past few days we need the Secretary of State to work with the civil service to release funding immediately to help those affected.
“We also need to see a greater investment in schemes to mitigate this flooding.
“The Department for Infrastructure has been limited by cuts to their budget, but as seen by the result of this flooding on local businesses we cannot afford not to put additional protections in place to keep properties safe.
“The climate crisis and the failure of governments across these islands to act means that unfortunately we could see incidents like this increase in both frequency and severity in future.
“It’s deeply regrettable that this is happening when we do not have Ministers in place to react to the ongoing emergency.
“In 2015 as Minister I tried on multiple occasions to bring a proposal before the Executive to put in place emergency funding for flooding victims and this was blocked by the leading parties.
“Any restored Stormont must make sure that we can react quickly to emergencies of this scale in future and the SDLP Opposition will be making that case.”
SEE DOWN NEWS FACEBOOK PAGE FOR VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF THE FLOOD
