12 November 2001
DRD MINISTER OUTLINES IMPROVED RESPONSE TO FLOODING
A joint approach to dealing with flooding has been agreed between the three Government agencies with responsibilities in that area, Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson MP MLA said today.
He was speaking during Assembly questions and said providing information to the public about who to call in the event of flooding was vital.
The initiative involves the Department for Regional Development’s Water Service and Roads Service and the Rivers Agency, of the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Mr Robinson said: "A major part of the approach is the dissemination of information to the public about who to call in the event of flooding. Advertisements are being run today in the three major newspapers and similar details have been included in the new issue of the BT telephone directory and Yellow Pages.
"A leaflet giving emergency numbers as well as some advice on what to do if premises are at risk or have been flooded will be distributed to all homes and business premises in the near future."
As well as providing telephone numbers, the information will include a quick guide as to which agency takes the lead in particular flooding incidents.
Most residential and business addresses will receive the leaflet by the end of November. However, due to prior Christmas contractual arrangements, Royal Mail will not be able to deliver the leaflets to a few urban areas around Belfast and Lisburn until January 2002.
Research is also underway as to the feasibility of creating a single Floodline number as the infrastructure to support such a move does not exist at present.
The numbers being publicised in advertisements today are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, customers can also use the district office number listed under Roads Service in the telephone directory.
Roads Service (www.drdni.gov.uk/roads)
If flooding is coming form the road or footpath contact:
Eastern Division (head office, Belfast) 028 9025 3000
Northern Division (head office, Coleraine) 028 7035 3202
Southern Division (head office, Craigavon) 028 3752 9500
Western Division (head office, Omagh) 028 8225 4600Water Service (www.waterni.gov.uk)
If flooding is coming from burst watermains or blocked sewers, contact:
Waterline: 08457 440088
Text phone (for those with hearing problems): 08457 023206
E-mail address: waterline@waterni.gov.ukRivers Agency
If flooding is coming from overflowing rivers and watercourses contact:
Omagh office : 028 8225 4900
Fermanagh Office: 028 6638 8529
Coleraine Office: 028 7034 2357
Lisburn Office: 028 9260 6100
Armagh Office: 028 3839 9111
Greater Belfast Office: 028 9260 6100