Photos:  work in progress in Main Street and archive photos of formerly frequently flooded areas.

While nowhere near as severe as the impacts in the neighbouring region, which has been seriously impacted by flooding and land slippage, the recent storms have affected Gibraltar’s infrastructure, including roads, footpaths, street signage, trees and drainage systems. The Technical Services Department (TSD) has responded to multiple incidents including road and footpath closures, rockfalls and other storm-related hazards. 

The road network in particular suffered widespread surface deterioration and potholing due to the extreme rainfall. Temporary emergency repairs are being carried out in adverse conditions, with a structured programme of permanent resurfacing and repairs to follow once weather conditions stabilise. 

The TSD team for example was working overnight on Monday repairing over twenty damaged areas along Main Street.

Drainage and sewer infrastructure has performed perfectly, with only short-lived minor flooding in a few areas and no flooding at all reported in historically high-risk areas such as Queensway, Market Place, Devil’s Tower Road, Winston Churchill Avenue, Wellington Front, Main Street (Cooperage Lane/Crutchett’s Ramp junction) and Rosia Road. Continuous gully and drainage clearance works maintenance is ongoing to prevent wind-blown debris from causing blockages.                            

Horticultural contractors, coordinated by the Department of Environment, have also been out in adverse weather dealing with trees and branches that had either fallen or were deemed unsafe.                    

Minister for Technical Services and Infrastructure, John Cortes, said: “I want to thank all staff and contractors for their support in these extremely challenging conditions.  The teams have responded swiftly during and after the storms to make our areas safe again.  We cannot take for granted the commitment of our teams. I am particularly pleased that the Government's investment in improving the capacity of our storm drainage system has proved effective, with no serious flooding happening anywhere, unlike used to be the case just years ago.”