‘Newcastle must be included in Executive Flood Scheme’- Hazzard
Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has called on the Executive to include Newcastle in the £10 million allocated this evening to deal with the flash flooding.
Speaking to Newry Times, Mr Hazzard said,
“While I welcome the announcement this evening by the Executive of £10 million to upgrade the infrastructure in parts of Belfast and Cushendall that regularly suffer from flash flooding I also believe Newcastle needs to be included in the scheme. The people in Newcastle also suffer on a regular basis from flash flooding during periods of heavy rain and deserve the same response from the Executive as every other area.”
“I visited some homes today that were flooded for the second time in a year and the occupants were totally distraught. I am calling on DRD Minister Danny Kennedy to extend the scheme so that the residents of Newcastle are offered the same protection as those in Cushendall and Belfast.”
He added, “Down District Council will open a Multi-Agency Advice Centre tomorrow at the Newcastle Centre from 10am for people who have been affected by the recent flooding. I would appeal for people to visit the centre or contact it on 028 4461 0800 so that they can access advice and apply for the hardship grant of £1000 being made available to help people in the aftermath of the flooding.”
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