Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

            Members will be aware of the heavy rain on the evening of Wednesday 27June 2012 which caused severe flooding across the city.  An initial report on the Council’s response to the flooding was considered by the Health and Environmental Services Committee at its meeting on 1 August 2012.

            Members will be aware that delivery of the Connswater Community Greenway (CCG) is a key project within the Investment Programme.  This scheme involves the creation of a 16km walkway along the Knock, Loop and Connswater Rivers in East Belfast.  This scheme also incorporates flood alleviation works.  Funding of the scheme is provided by the Big Lottery, Belfast City Council, DSD and the Rivers Agency.

            Orangefield Park, a street which runs adjacent to the Park itself has been badly affected by flooding on a number of occasions over the past five to six years and was once again badly affected during this recent episode.

            The flood alleviation works planned for Orangefield Park as part of the CCG scheme will greatly reduce the risk of flooding to the houses in the vicinity.  Members will be aware that the previous contract for the delivery of the project was mutually terminated earlier this year and that new contracts will be let for the completion of the scheme.

2          Key Issues

            As a result of the extensive flooding in Orangefield and the ongoing risk to the houses in that vicinity the Rivers Agency and the Council are in discussion regarding a potential range of interim measures that might be taken to alleviate to some degree the risk in advance of the main scheme being delivered.  These are likely to involve works in Orangefield Park including the possibility of removing a significant number of trees on the bank to the rear of the houses and the creation of a holding pond within the park.

            All works that will be undertaken while disruptive in the first instant will assist in the delivery of the longer term CCG scheme.

            Following the flooding in the city we are also currently reviewing our existing protocols for the clearance of gulleys within the Parks estate to ensure that surface water drainage systems operate to their maximum capacity in the event of any future incidents of heavy rain.

3          Resource Implications

            At this time it is unclear what financial resources will be required to undertake these urgent interim works to Orangefield Park and what the Council’s contribution to the costs will be.  Work is underway to scope and cost the appropriate works and the Committee will be updated in due course. 

            Discussions with the Director of Finance and Resources have indicated that additional revenue funds would be made available to assist with the completion of the interim emergency measures.

4          Equality and Good Relations Considerations

            None.

5          Recommendations

            Committee are asked to authorise the Director of Parks and Leisure to undertake in conjunction with the Rivers Agency, interim flood alleviation works within Orangefield park subject to a full report being presented to the Parks and Leisure Committee in due course.”

            The Committee granted the authority sought and thanked staff for their efforts and work throughout the recent flooding.