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The risk of more severe flooding in Fermanagh and the Border
counties could be eased if Northern authorities and the ESB
review their strategies, an inquiry has found.
A report by a special taskforce, set up by Stormont after
last November’s floods in the region, said more needs to be
done to alleviate the impact of future flooding.
The Erne system is managed jointly by the Rivers Authority
in Northern Ireland and the ESB which operates a hydro-electric
scheme in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal. Between them, they should
review how water levels in the Erne are managed, the taskforce
said. The Erne contains water which drains from Fermanagh,
Monaghan, Cavan and Leitrim.
Large tracts of Fermanagh remained submerged for days after
persistent heavy rains in late October and early November
forced levels in the Erne system to record highs. Emergency
short-term measures were put into place and the Stormont Executive
called for the taskforce report to help decide on a longer-term
policy.
Its findings call for two key roads to be raised to safer
levels in a bid to prevent severe disruption to transport.
It also called for greater flood defences in Enniskillen and
at a water treatment plant at Killyhevlin.
The report admits that the risk of future severe flooding
on the scale of what was suffered in 2009 cannot be entirely
removed - and, central to its recommendations is a call for
better co-ordination and water level reviews by agencies on
both sides of the Border.
The recommendations, which will have spending implications
at a time when the Executive is bracing itself for expenditure
cuts imposed by London, have been welcomed by Ministers on
all sides at Stormont.
Download the report - Click
Here
Source - The Irish Times
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