AQW 3102/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 08/09/2022
Answered On Date: 20/09/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether his Department has plans to add the Saltwater Brig area of the Strangford Lough Coastline to the Rivers Agency hydrometric section, to ensure monitoring of the water levels given the increasing flooding in the area.

Answer:

My Department currently monitors the water levels at the northern and southern ends of Strangford Lough by stations located at Portaferry Road, Newtownards and at the Quoile Barrier, Downpatrick.

The station at Portaferry Road Newtownards notifies my officials when predetermined thresholds are breached allowing time to prepare for any flood response as appropriate. My Department also receives daily information from the Met Office on coastal surges and high tides and this information is disseminated to relevant agencies to allow an appropriate flood response. There are no plans to add further monitoring stations at any other locations around Strangford Lough.