To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, given the recent surface flooding in the Market Place carpark, Downpatrick, and in the vicinity of Downpatrick and County Down Railway, to detail any interim emergency solutions in place to prevent more extensive flooding of the town centre, this winter.

Aligned with the approach taken in Newcastle following the South East Flooding Review, the Department recognises the interaction between surface water drainage and high river levels in Downpatrick. Work is ongoing to establish a Downpatrick Regional Community Resilience Group (RCRG) to ensure a coordinated approach to all flooding risks. Ahead of the next RCRG meeting it is proposed to convene drainage partners from across agencies to review the ongoing surface water flooding issues within Downpatrick Town Centre and consider whether any practical measures might be achievable.

In preparation for this period of adverse weather, Rivers operational staff undertook proactive maintenance of drainage infrastructure and continued this work throughout the weekend, while actively monitoring river levels in real time, through our network of hydrometric stations, across the Downpatrick catchment. The Quoile barrier was operated to maximise discharge during tidal windows, and temporary pumping was deployed as required. These combined efforts helped keep designated watercourses and drainage infrastructure flowing freely and prevented flooding in many areas.