Roy Beggs MLA has pressed the Department of Regional Development and DARD to upgrade the drainage system around Greenisland Railway Station so that the vital pedestrian underpass no longer suffers from repeated flooding.
Roy Beggs MLA said:
“It is unacceptable that the underpass used by the public at the busy Greenisland Railway Station has suffered a second flooding incident within approximately 2 years. This is a vital local access route for rail passengers and an essential pedestrian route for many to school, to churches and to local sports clubs.”
A boulder had previously partially blocked a major culvert and had led to the earlier flooding at the station.
The Ulster Unionist MLA said, “I understand that both DARD and DRD officials are working together with Translink to try to identify the cause of the flooding. It is important to identify the source of the problem, and to make the necessary improvements so that the community will not face such flooding again and again.
“There has been recent housing developments in Greenisland which will add to the speed of rain water run-off and increase the pressure on culverts. However, I am also aware of surface drainage that had previously contributed to flooding at the adjacent Greenisland Terrace. I welcome the drainage system around Greenisland Railway station being inspected for both defects and its overall capacity. I would also urge that necessary maintenance be put in place for surface water channels so that protective grills would prevent debris from entering the culverts and restricting flow.”