Belfast is to get new sandbagging provision in three areas vulnerable to flooding.
At the City Council’s recent People and Communities Committee meeting, elected representatives voted to locate three new sandbag containers at Stockman's Lane, Shore Road and Ardoyne Community Centre.
A council report stated: “This proposal will enhance community resilience within flooding "hotspot" areas, support residents, elected members and community groups to be more resilient in times of potential flooding."
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The council’s Emergency Planning department and the Stormont Rivers Agency at the Department for Infrastructure identified three new locations: Musgrave Park at Stockman's Lane, Shore Road Playing Fields, on green space beside an existing sandbag container, and Ardoyne Community Centre.
The report states: “The Stockman’s Lane area is prone to flooding. In February 2021 emergency services responded to property flooding in this area and DFI Rivers deployed urgent sandbag deliveries to protect properties. This area has experienced flash flooding on a regular basis over the past number of years.
“The Shore Road location has been a problem area for flooding in recent years particularly around the Whitewell Rd and Shore Rd area. Locating a container at this site would cover off sandbag availability to residents at risk from flooding in this part of North Belfast.
“During August 2021 the Ardoyne Community area suffered flash flooding and approximately 200 sandbags were deployed by Belfast City Council Open Spaces and Street Scene Staff to protect homes. Since this flash flooding episode in August 2021 multi-agency debrief meetings have been held with partner agencies and elected members.
“Due to the topography of Ardoyne this location can be prone to flash flooding and over the past few years Emergency Planning and OSS have had to support elected members and residents with requests for sandbag deliveries to protect homes. The location of a sandbag container in the grounds of Ardoyne Community Centre will help to support the local community to protect their homes.”
DFI Rivers will provide three metal containers measuring 8ft by 12ft and stock with sandbags. Belfast City Council estimates its costs for site works, including ground works and installation of concrete bases for the proposed containers, will be £4,000 in total.
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