Robin Newton MBE MLA

ROBIN Newton East Belfast DUP MLA. said The Belfast City Council report on the flooding  emergency must be heeded. In welcoming the report Robin Newton said this report cannot be allowed to gather dust on the shelves of the relevant departments. I have written to the Department for Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy and the Minister Michelle O’Neill Department of Agriculture pleading the case for some short-term temporary practical support for flood victims. Residents in an emergency must be helped to take some immediate actions once the flooding threat appears. There are many products on the market that help protect front and rear doors and shields to stop water entering property via the low level air vents. The Ministers Kennedy and O’Neill must give consideration to these types of products to offer residents some defence from the near annual flooding. Robin Newton said,
 
“The flooding as before in East Belfast followed a regular pattern with all the usual flood spots being affected. The longer term solution to the problems must be found but this will require major investment, construction and engineering. East Belfast flood victims can no longer wait until the money is found and all the engineering solutions are worked out to see some action.
 
Rain levels this summer have been even worse than past summers. East Belfast residents become worried every time there is a major downpour. It is heartbreaking to visit homes with young children, or especially elderly residents who have been completely flooded out. Listening as they relay their experiences and the inability to stop the flood waters is extremely distressing. Only someone with a heart of stone would fail to be moved.
 
The Ministers must give consideration to temporary, relatively low-cost and economically cost effective solutions to give confidence and assurance to residents that all that can be done to help them is being done.”