£600,000 flood alleviation scheme approved for Clady

by Gráinne Connolly

At the 167th meeting of the drainage council, two proposed flood alleviation schemes were approved in Clady. 

In the past Clady has always been badly affected by excessive flooding, in some cases, major damage was caused to local homes and businesses. 

(Floods in the village of Clady, 2015)

The schemes totaling £600,000 will see works carried out at two sites in the area to prevent future flooding. 

One project will be at the Donneygowen Burn, estimating £120,000 and the other will be at the Stephenstown Drain, with an estimated cost of £470,000. 

Q Radio spoke to Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA, Michaela Boyle who says she is delighted that the schemes have been approved. 

"As you will remember there has been consistent flooding in the past in the Clady area. 

"There was a number of hot spots within the area that were prone to flooding for a number of years. 

"Myself and Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, along with the Clady community association had been lobbying the relevant department in relation to getting a flood alleviation scheme in the area. 

"This is excellent news for the village who suffered in the past, in relation to flooding and this is the measures put in place to prevent future flooding."

The MLA has also commended people within the Clady community for making sure others in the area are well equipped in the events of heavy rain. 

That's as well as taking precautionary measures, to make sure Clady doesn't get flooded like it did in the past. 

"I would like to congratulate and commend the community group for the work that they have been doing in the Clady area to help businesses and home owners to prevent their properties from being flooded. 

"By assisting them with sandbags and always keeping an eyeful watch on the river and how high it rises. 

"There's a lot of people within the community to others, always making sure what happened in Clady, doesn't happen again."

Some of the works for the flood alleviation scheme has already begun and other parts of the project are due to begin soon.