To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) whether his Department has investigated the feasibility of improving the surface drain systems in Newcastle to allow surface water discharge when the levels in the Shimna River and Burren River are high, as recommended in the Review of Flooding in South East report; and (ii) to detail the outcome of any such investigations and any resulting plans for implementation.

The recently published review of the South East Flooding in Autumn 2023 detailed a number of recommendations for which my Department, and many other multi-agency partners, will be responsible for delivering. This includes Recommendation B2 to investigate the feasibility of improving the surface drain systems within Newcastle taking account of the need to allow surface water discharge when the levels in Shimna and Burren rivers are high.

Although my Department is not the lead agency for the delivery of all the recommendations from the review, I am content for my Department to take the lead in the coordination and oversight of the implementation of all recommendations through the establishment of a Flooding Review Recommendations Group. This will ensure a centralised approach with effective communication and the continuation of the good working relationships already developed during the flooding review itself. This group is currently developing terms of reference to provide the necessary framework for delivery.