U105 presenter Frank Mitchell blasts Lagan flood alleviation works after... more flooding

U105 presenter Frank Mitchell has taken a pop at the Department for Infrastructure following further flooding along Belfast's Lagan towpath.

An encased walkway along the path has flooded at least twice since DfI contractors cut down dozens of trees in the area and erected a wall designed to stop flooding.

The proposal angered the community and politicians, with many stating the obvious flood protection trees provide.

Read more: Concern over 'flooding at flood alleviation scheme' in South Belfast

But the trees, one of which was planted by Belfast's first female Mayor, were cut down under cover of darkness anyway so the builders could get their machines into the area. No environmental impact assessments were carried out.

Frank Mitchell took to Twitter on Wednesday to post: "Good to see the flood relief scheme on the Lagan Towpath is working well. They'll probably need to chop down a few more trees!!!!"

Similar works were carried out in Newry and Newcastle, with DfI contractors cutting down a total of 426 trees across the three flood alleviation schemes.

These trees along the Lagan were largely cut down to build a flood wall (William Murphy)

Many of the trees were native species and some had reached around 200 years old.

DfI has been contacted for comment.

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