Minister Kimmins visits £33m Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme
Over 3,000 homes and businesses will ultimately benefit from enhanced protection from tidal flooding, thanks to a £33m investment by the Department for Infrastructure, Minister Liz Kimmins has said.
Visiting the recently completed Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme today, the Infrastructure Minister said: “Adapting to climate is one of my Department’s seven Foundations for a Better Future. While we cannot prevent all flooding from happening, we can reduce the impacts with appropriate infrastructure investment. The completion of this £33m scheme is a major boost for over 3000 homes and businesses not only today but also for future generations as we bolster our defences to help protect against tidal flooding.”
It is currently estimated that significant tidal flooding would affect over 2km2 of Belfast City, including local residential areas, parts of the commercial city centre and major infrastructure. The recently completed scheme involved the design and construction of flood defences (typically one metre high) along approximately 8.5km of the River Lagan from Stranmillis Weir to Belfast Harbour.
Minister Kimmins added: “Completion of this project means the City will be better prepared for future tidal flooding events, safeguarding both people and infrastructure whilst also promoting long term resilience. We are already experiencing a change in our weather with increasingly severe storms and the design of these flood defences takes into account climate change projections to 2080.
“This work is part of an ongoing programme in flood risk management. Significant investment is required to provide vital new infrastructure such as the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme but also to upgrade existing flood defences across the North and address years of historic under-investment in this area.”
The Minister concluded: “I would also like to commend the team who have designed the defences to integrate with their surroundings. This vital work contributes to protecting a thriving City where people want to live and work, to visit and invest – both now and in the future.”
Welcoming completion of the Scheme:
Gerard Rice, Director of Service for Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group (LORAG) said: “LORAG welcome the completion of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme and related mitigations. These offer the neighbourhood a significant long-term risk reduction from tidal flooding and these works should greatly reduce the impact should such a risk be realised for their homes and businesses. LORAG commend the contractor Charles Brand for their considerable efforts made during the construction to reduce the impact that such extensive works had on the community.”
Peter Gallagher, River Manager Lagan Weir said: “The successful completion of the Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme marks a transformative milestone for our city. This £33million investment not only safeguards over 3,000 homes and businesses from the devastating impacts of tidal flooding but future proofs Belfast against rising sea levels, with defences designed for many decades to come. Beyond protection, the scheme’s thoughtful integration with the surrounding landscape ensures the River Lagan remains a vibrant and welcoming space for communities, visitors and investors alike. This project is a commitment to building a resilient thriving city for generations to come.”
Clare Carleton, Resilience Manager, Belfast Emergency Preparedness Group said: “Civil Contingencies partners in Belfast work together on an ongoing basis and have responded to protect Belfast from the risk of coastal flooding a number of times. The completion of the Belfast Tidal Alleviation Scheme is a significant step to providing greater protection for the homes and businesses at risk in our City. Work is now progressing to raise awareness of this important scheme for our local communities and to ensure everyone is aware of the steps that will be taken to implement the defences to protect the City in the future.”
Met Office Chief Scientist, Professor Stephen Belcher, said: “Our climate is changing around us, with more intense rainfall and rising sea levels. Met Office projections show impacts from storm surges and high waves in coastal areas are expected to worsen as sea levels continue to rise, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. We must keep adapting our infrastructure to cope with future climate and the extremes we can expect to see. The Belfast Tidal Flood Alleviation Scheme is an example of timely climate adaptation, enhancing the resilience of local communities.”
