Keep up with Armagh i

Sandbag store in place for residents whose homes flooded during summer storms

Action follows damage to homes after torrential rains which fell in one day in July

A sandbag store has been installed in Lurgan as part of a multi-agency response to flash flooding earlier this year.

And flood prevention work has also been carried out on the Halfpenny River.

Homes in the Knockramer Meadows area of Lurgan were among those worst affect by the flooding which happened after torrential rains fell on one afternoon in July.

The work has been welcomed by local SDLP Councillor Declan McAlinden.

He said the ongoing multi-agency work currently being carried out by Rivers Agency, Roads Service and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council could help reduce flooding and prevent similar scenes from those witnessed last July happening again.

“At that time my SDLP colleague, Dolores Kelly MLA contacted Rivers Agency and arranged an urgent site meeting to discuss potential long term measures to alleviate flood damage occurring in this area again,” said Councillor McAlinden.

“We, along with residents from Knockramer, lobbied Rivers Agency and community resilience works were carried out in the immediate aftermath of the flooding.

“As a result of the community resilience works, Rivers Agency have provided a sandbag store in Knockramer Meadows so that residents have their own supply for deployment.

“I am pleased to confirm that the sandbag store has been provided and I want to thank the residents who provided permission for it to be sited on their property.

“I will continue to work with Rivers Agency to find a long term measure for flooding. Furthermore, I am still working with Roads Service who are currently investigating the possibility of introducing extra manholes in the area to ensure surface water can be drained away.”

Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Most read today

NEWRY – SHOP LOCAL

More in Lurgan