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Minister for Infrastructure John O'Dowd has claimed there are only two options in relation to a line of mature oak trees at Greenbank that are in danger of imminent felling. An ongoing community campaign to keep the trees has resulted in flood alleviation work halting in recent weeks. Minister O'Dowd said the options are either to keep the trees and have no flood protection or remove the trees and install flood protection.
The Newry Flood Aleviation Scheme has seen a length of flood barrier installed paralel to the Warrenpoint Dual Carriageway at Greenbank but to complete the scheme DFI are insisting that the trees need to be felled.
In a response to a letter from MLA Justin McNulty the Minister said "I can confirm that my Department has already undertaken a re-assessment of all potential options to provide flood protection at this location to try to avoid any tree removal. The review concluded that unfortunately there were no alternative measures that would provide the required standard of protection.
"That leaves two options, retain the trees and have no flood protection or remove the trees and install the flood protection. All other options have been exhausted and the longer the scheme is delayed the more chance there is of another serious flooding incident."
Nature is seen as of lower value and more disposable
A commenter on Twitter spoke of what he regarded as 'nonsense' from the DFI Minister "Of course there are alternatives but they are more expensive. Would we bulldoze the arts centre or town hall by the river for flood defence or would we find an alternative? Nature is just seen as of lower value and more disposable."
Campaigners believe the trees could be felled at any stage as a Department for Infrastructure response to a freedom of information request said that works are scheduled to occur outside the bird nesting season which runs from March to August.
Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty expressed disappointment that the Minister has been unable to find a solution which would allow the completion of the flood protection scheme without seeing the destruction of the local environment.
Mr. McNulty commented “I find the Minister’s response baffling. A large portion of the flood defence scheme has already been completed without any disruption or destruction to the local environment, so I’m at a loss as to why this project cannot be completed in the manner it was started.
“At a time when households and businesses are being urged to do everything they can to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis, the Minister has an obligation to play his part as well. If he is unwilling to take steps to protect our local environment, then the Minister must make clear what steps he will be taking to offset the adverse environmental impact that this project will have.”
