Emergency meeting todayafter Clady bridge collapse

Officials convened several emergency meetings to discuss the severe flooding in the Strabane area recently, which helped sweep away a section of parapet wall at Clady Bridge and another emergency group meeting is planned for today, Wednesday, December 2.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 5th Dec 2015, 20:01 BST

The Rivers Agency is still in the investigation phase of flood recovery efforts in the wake of the severe flooding last month, according to the Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill,

Officials from the Agency have had meetings and discussions with Transport NI officials from the Department for Regional Development on a number of issues relating to the recent flooding in West Tyrone.

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UUP MLA Ross Hussey Rivers Agency asked the Minister what meetings she had had with the Department for Regional Development on the recent flooding.

She said: “A Rivers Agency Western Regional Engineer was in discussion with an official from Transport NI Bridge Maintenance Section on Monday, November 16, 2015 regarding the closure of bridges during flooding events in West Tyrone.”

She referred to the incident at Clady, which involved a section of bridge being swept away.

“Rivers Agency officials had a site meeting at Clady Co. Tyrone on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 with Transport NI officials in relation to actions required for the repair of the collapsed section of parapet wall at Clady Bridge.

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“Discussions have been held between the Rivers Agency Western Regional Engineer and a Maintenance Engineer from Transport NI on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 in relation to a review of the Flood Risk assessment for the Park & Share car park at Crevenagh Road, Omagh which is situated on the floodplain of the Drumragh River.

“Rivers Agency’s Western Regional Engineer took part in a Conference call on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 with the Emergency Planning Officer of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and other members of the Western Emergency Preparedness Group (WEPG) relating to the response and recovery phase of the flood event. Transport NI officials also participated.

“A meeting of the WEPG is scheduled for December 2, 2015 and a discussion and debrief on the effectiveness of the emergency response and recovery will be on the agenda. Transport NI is represented at this group.

“Rivers Agency officials will continue to liaise with DRD officials as investigations continue into the recent flooding in West Tyrone.”

Related topics:StrabaneMichelle O'Neill