Businesses on Sugar Island once again left holding their breath

BUSINESSES on Sugar Island were once again left holding their breath as the level of water in the Canal rose exponentially on Tuesday last.  

In scenes that immediately predicated the torrential flooding which inundated the area in October of 2023, the flow of water in the canal almost reached flood level in the wake of Storm Chandra.

  Almost 50 millimeters of rain were deposited in the space of 48 hours, with some areas seeing as many as 100 millimeters pouring down in this timeframe. 

As a result of the deluge, Eamonn Connolly of Newry BID was on hand with the flood resilience group to provide business owners in Sugar Island with sandbags as well as keeping a close watch monitoring the situation.

Whilst thankfully it was not a strict sense  of Déjà vu  , for business owner Paul McCartan of McCartan Brothers, which was absolutely awash with flooding two years ago,  this latest brush with wetness has only provided insight with regards  what may happen if Newry ever witnesses the same level of flooding which it did in October of 2023.     

Ghost Town

“If this happens again, Newry is going to be a ghost town because no business is ever going to come to Newry” said Paul

“Who is going to invest in Newry if this happens again would you?We  are nearly more interested in our council offices being moved to car parks in town and money being put into this then getting the infrastructure right around the town.

“Eamonn Conolly of Newry BID is working night and day for the local businesses trying to get things sorted. Attempting to get stuff done.

“Newry BID have been absolutely exceptional in the whole thing in keeping people warned without the danger.

“This was the first round of the new system put in place by them letting us know that there was a potential risk.

Newry BID have been exceptional with what they have done but we need more than this, we need our council stepping up to the mark. Unfortunately as I say they seem more interested in relocating offices and the work they are doing there. This money needs to be invested in Newry.”

Probes in river

On hand to explain what actions his organisation has taken since the flooding of 2023 to ensure an incident of this nature never occurs again was Eamonn Connolly of Newry BID   

“ We have probes in the river and canal to monitor the water levels. When it reaches certain thresholds this triggers various actions. This was our highest risk since the floods.

“This week we also formally launched the Newry BID Revote.

“The revote will take place in February 2026 and will ask eligible city centre businesses to vote on whether the BID should continue for a further five-year term from 2026 to 2031.

It is important that members understand the significance of this ballot. A Yes vote is required for the BID to continue. If the vote outcome is No, the BID will cease to exist with immediate effect.

“Over the coming weeks, we will continue to engage with businesses to provide clear and factual information on the revote, what the BID has delivered, the priorities proposed for the next term based on member consultation, and how the BID is representing members on key issues such as rates.

“All eligible ratepayers will receive ballot papers directly as part of the statutory revote process.”