SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has called on the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to implement a robust gully maintenance schedule with a view to prioritising areas at greatest risk of flooding.
Historically under DfI policy, gullies in urban areas are cleaned twice each year and gullies in rural areas once per year, but due to budgetary constraints in recent years this has been reduced to annually.
Mr Durkan said given the substantial rainfall witnessed in the last few months it is evident that poor gully maintenance has contributed to increased flooding in some areas.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Gully optimisation and the issue of regular cleaning of street drainage may seem a humdrum issue but it is fundamental in the reduction of flooding on roads and streets across Northern Ireland.
“When the caretaker minister was in office, I asked what prioritisation if any was in place to clean drainage in areas at high risk of flooding.
“What I’ve gleaned from the information provided, it would appear there is no official ranking or recording system of gullies currently in place.
“Having spoken with various contractors, it’s clear that parked vehicles are a major issue which prevent access to gullies in streets highlighted for maintenance.
“However, in such instances it’s unclear whether a follow up is subsequently flagged on the maintenance schedule. While I accept that blocked drainage is not a sole cause of flooding, it is definitely a contributing factor.
“In recent months we’ve witnessed heavy rainfall which has caused havoc on our roads as well as in and around residential areas.
“Within my own constituency of Foyle, I’ve seen for myself that gullies in some parts of the Creggan area of the city have gone without maintenance for years.
“This is in no way a reflection on the good work carried out by local DfI Roads divisions, whose staff are out in all weathers, but rather it highlights the need for an improved recording system and increased resources.
“A strict regime for routine cleaning of silt and other debris from roadside gullies is key to prevent water from building up during periods of heavy rainfall leading to flooding.
“Given the predictions of increased rainfall and flooding in the region as a consequence of climate change, an effective cleaning schedule of drainage networks, albeit a relatively simple solution, will be crucial in the long term.”
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