Fermanagh Flood Relief Praised

As the level of Lough Erne this week reached the highest on record after days of heavy rain caused widespread flooding, the Rivers Agency in the western region was last night expecting another 20-30mls of rain to cause yet more difficulty.

A short section of road, leading into the major Erneside Shopping Centre was last night being raised to allow access today, after attempts to pump out floodwater failed to stem the 'rising tide'.

Tons of hard core were this morning due to be covered in tarmac so as shoppers and workers could reach the centre, which last night was becoming more and more cut-off by the rising waters.

Yesterday, NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew visited Erneside Shopping Centre in Enniskillen to witness the flooding disruption in the area for herself.

During the visit she praised the flood emergency response to ongoing flooding problems.

She said that the Rivers Agency has been working with the Electricity Supply Board to ensure that Lough levels were drawn down to the lowest permissible level in October 2009, to provide maximum storage during the winter months.

She also noted that, since 5 November the outflow channel has also been operating at maximum capacity.

However, in spite of this proactive management the sheer amount of rainfall has resulted in the highest Lough levels on record.

"The extreme flooding which has particularly impacted upon Co Fermanagh in recent days has created great inconvenience to people across the county and authorities are making every effort to manage the threat posed by the highest levels recorded on Lough Erne.

"My Rivers Agency staff have been working with other responders to help keep damage and disruption to a minimum," she said.

"My thoughts are with everyone effected and my heart goes out to those whose day to day business has been upset, particularly local schoolchildren whose education has been disrupted.

"Everything that is possible is being done to manage the situation but it must be remembered that we are dealing with very significant volumes of water in the Loughs and it will take time for water levels to fall," she said.

Discussing moves to help cope with incidents like this in the future, the Minister also said: "In the days ahead my officials will undertake a speedy review of this flooding incident.

"Under the EU Floods Directive, Rivers Agency are required to undertake flood risk plans across the north of Ireland in conjunction with our southern counterparts. As a result of the current situation the timescale for Lough Erne will now be brought forward," noting that "the combined efforts of the emergency services, my own Rivers Agency staff, Roads Service, local councils and NI Water to assist those affected are a credit and I wish to express my sincere thanks to all of them".

She also said that she is working very closely in the Stormont Executive to ensure that everything that can be done will be done for those badly affected by the latest flooding incidents.

"I've spoken directly to the (Finance) Minister to stress, that despite the current economic climate, it is vital that flood alleviation is kept an Executive priority," she concluded.

(BMcC/GK)