Work has started on an Interim Flood Alleviation scheme in Strabane.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd returned to the Ballycolman Estate as the work commenced.

The Minister had visited the estate last month following further flooding in the area to meet with residents and elected representatives and to advise them that work was ongoing to urgently progress an interim flood alleviation scheme.

Minister O’Dowd said: "I recently visited the Ballycolman Estate and other areas in the North West where I witnessed and heard first-hand accounts of the devastation caused not only by the recent flooding but also from previous flooding events.

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"My Department had previously commissioned a detailed study of the causes of flooding in the Ballycolman Estate which identified both potential short and long term solutions. I had given a commitment that work to finalise arrangements for the short term scheme to commence was underway and that I would return to the area to meet again with residents to update them. I am pleased to confirm that appropriate legal agreements are now in place and work is getting underway on the interim scheme which will considerably reduce the risk of in-house flooding to properties at Ballycolman.

"I also fully recognise the need to introduce viable longer term solutions as swiftly as possible to reduce the impacts of further flooding. That is why my Department is taking forward, where possible, a number of flood alleviation proposals in various locations across the north, including Drumahoe, Eglinton and Derry City."