Flood prevention works have been approved for the Blaenau Gwent communities worst affected by last year’s storms.
Blaenau Gwent Council has today approved plans totalling £800,000, which include work to a culvert in Cwm together with enhanced drainage and reprofiling of the access lane to the rear of King Street; the replacement and enhancement of a culvert in Llanhilleth and flood protection measures for properties in Church Street, Tredegar.
The Council took the decision to move ahead as a matter of urgency to secure the expertise needed and to mobilise contractors as soon as possible.
The Welsh Government has also approved funding for initial works to the coal tip in Cwmtillery which experienced a landslide last November. Investigations at the site have now concluded and will inform the future programme of works needed for the longer-term safety of the tip.
Councillor Helen Cunningham, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place & Environment, says:
“I am pleased that councillors unanimously supported the urgent decision to carry out flood prevention works in the areas hit hardest by recent weather events. I have seen first-hand the devastation caused to homes and communities during Storm Bert. We need to act quickly to put measures in place to protect those most vulnerable places.”
Over 100 homes in Blaenau Gwent suffered flooding during the unprecedented rainfall of Storm Bert last November. The Council supported with clean-ups and access to financial support, including from its own flood recovery grant scheme which was set up quickly to help residents at the time.
Work to the culvert in Cwm will increase capacity during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall and allow for safe machine access for cleansing purposes. At King Street, enhanced drainage will be developed, as well as a new carrier surface water culvert and the reprofiling of the lane surface to divert water away from properties.
At Llanhilleth, work will consist of replacing and upgrading the existing culvert from the railway embankment adjacent to Railway Street down to the river. The culvert will be made bigger to increase capacity and discharge into the river at a new location downstream of the pumping station.
At Church Street, Tredegar, work will consist of flood protection measures and other ancillary measures to guard against future flooding. These properties have been impacted by flooding several times.
