Council queries Department over sandbags

After the torrential rain caused flooding across the city the Council requested additional sandbags for the Lisburn area but were told by the Rivers Agency that the remaining sandbags were for the Belfast response.

The Council said they had been contacted by the public as the waters rose and logged these incidents of flooding with the Rivers Agency for action and activated its Emergency Response.

It immediately sent one Environmental Services Crew to the Twinbrook Poleglass area to provide assistance. Three crews were also assigned to assist the Rivers Agency with the filling and the delivery of sandbags throughout the night.

The Mayor, Alderman William Leathem, said, “Council crews worked throughout the night providing assistance to the Rivers Agency where possible and will continue to help in whatever way we can,” said the Mayor.

On Thursday morning, a new consignment of sandbags was made available and the Rivers Agency allocated an additional 300 sandbags to the Council which were distributed to the worst affected areas in the City.

In addition to the provision of the Council crews, the Council has deployed three large scale mechanical sweepers to the Twinbrook and Lagmore areas to assist in the clean up operation.

One of these sweepers was temporarily diverted from the Lagmore Heights area by local residents.

A front loading digger was also assigned to Lagmore Heights and the Colin Glen Road to assist DRD with the cleaning and removal of silt and debris from the area.

Members of the public affected by flooding and in need of urgent assistance were advised that they should contact the Emergency Flooding Line on tel: 0300 2000 100.

An Emergency Payment Scheme has also been implemented by the NI Executive through the Department of the Environment for those householders affected by flooding. This scheme will be administered in conjunction with the Council.

Houses which have already been affected by flooding may be eligible for payments and other assistance under this Scheme. Anybody wishing to apply under this scheme should contact the Council’s Environmental Health Unit on tel: 028 9250 9394 and Council Officers will visit the affected homes.

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