Flooding stirs blame game

Craigavon Lakes were one of the worst affected areas during last week’s flash flooding.
Flooding in Moira. Pic by Gráinne Naoimh.Flooding in Moira. Pic by Gráinne Naoimh.
Flooding in Moira. Pic by Gráinne Naoimh.

Readers Aisling MacPhaidin and Candice Glen sent images of flooding at the balancing lakes, though amazingly on Saturday 30 people turned up as normal for the park run around the lakes.

Numbers were down due to the flooding from the usual 120 strong pack of runners, though the hardy bunch were determined to compete picking an alternative route around the lakes to avoid the worst hit areas.

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Moira was also badly affected by Thursday’s downpour as the picture contributed by Gráinne Naoimh shows.

The submerged Mountain Bike Trail at Craigavon Lakes. Pic by Candice Glen.The submerged Mountain Bike Trail at Craigavon Lakes. Pic by Candice Glen.
The submerged Mountain Bike Trail at Craigavon Lakes. Pic by Candice Glen.

In Lurgan councillors were inundated with calls about flooding with Mourne Road, Cottage Road, Lurgan Road in Donaghcloney and Kilwilkie Road among the worst affected locations.

DUP Councillor Carla Lockhart pointed the finger at UUP Roads Minister Danny Kennedy for creating a situation whereby the Roads Service do not have the resources to deal with the incidents.

She said: “Mr Kennedy has put out notice that Road Service no longer use subcontractors so they are now having to use their own equipment that is at least five years old.

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“This is all about how you manage your budget. There’s enough fat to trim without having to cut frontline services.”

Flooding at Craigavon Lakes. Pic by Aisling MacPhaidin.Flooding at Craigavon Lakes. Pic by Aisling MacPhaidin.
Flooding at Craigavon Lakes. Pic by Aisling MacPhaidin.

Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson blamed Sinn Fein. She said: “The Roads Minister has made clear at all times that in the case of emergency, finance could be used to engage external contractors and specialist equipment and that has happened in the areas affected.

“If anything has held back the response to flooding it is Michelle O’Neill and 
Sinn Fein’s continued refusal to develop a centralised approach to dealing with flooding.”