Work has begun on a £2.9 million flood alleviation scheme on tributaries of the Newry River in the city.

The project will see the construction of approximately 990 metres of new 1350 millimetre diameter concrete culvert and 2000 metres of new flood wall and embankment works.

AG Wilson has been appointed to deliver the contract, which represents the first phase of a key strategic project for Newry City that when complete will ultimately provide the protection needed to reduce the risk of flooding.

This is the first of three planned phases of flood alleviation measures for the City. This initial scheme will provide flood alleviation to residential and commercial properties located at Armagh Road, Downshire Road, Craigmore Way and Greenbank Industrial Estate, Newry.

-- Advertisement --

Speaking after announcing the beginning of the scheme, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "Flooding causes devastation and destruction leaving behind not only a huge clean-up operation but a genuine fear every time there is heavy rainfall. This is an area which has a history of flooding so I hope that the commencement of this work will bring some comfort and reassurance to those properties that will directly benefit from a reduction in flood risk once this work is complete."

The Minister added: "I committed during my time as Minister to taking action to protect homes and businesses from flooding, and I have followed through on this commitment by allocating £19 million in funding for flood alleviation schemes across the North in my 2020/21 budget, an increase of £11 million from last year. The commencement of this £2.9million scheme in Newry is part of this and I look forward to seeing more schemes like this getting off the ground across the North that will make a real difference to people's lives."

The scheme is expected to take 12 months to complete.