The procurement process to appoint a contractor to carry out flood alleviation works in Portadown could commence before the end of this year.
But getting the job done will very much depend on funding.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd provided an update on flood defence hopes as the Co Armagh town continues to count the cost.
It was at the end of October and into early November that unprecedented flooding left a trail of devastation across Northern Ireland.
And both Newry and Portadown were among the worst hit areas.
In the latter, the River Bann burst its banks, with homes and businesses fighting a losing battle against the rising waters.
There have been payments made to those affected and others are still in the process of making claims.
But behind this all has been the recognition to take steps to try and prevent such devastation of this scale from ever happening again.
For that reason, Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson had asked the Minister – a fellow Upper Bann representative – for a progress report on the ‘Portadown flood alleviation scheme’.
And the Minister confirmed that the scheme was currently at the “detailed design stage”.
Work, said the Sinn Fein representative, was “ongoing to complete the design and finalise the business case”.
Mr O’Dowd, in response to a written question, explained: “This work includes refining aspects of the proposed defences following completion of tree surveys and consultation on an addendum to the Environmental Statement for the scheme.
“Consultation on the Environmental Statement Addendum will commence in April.
“Subject to gaining the necessary approvals and the availability of funding, it is currently estimated that the procurement process to appoint a contractor for the works could commence in Autumn 2024.”
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