RCT Council has secured significant funding from Welsh Government towards a major £1.4m flood alleviation scheme at Glenboi Road, that will upgrade the existing pumping station and reduce flood risk in the community.
Welsh Government has recently confirmed its approval for the scheme, to vastly increase the capacity of the surface water pumping station at Glenboi Road, designed to accommodate surface water and overland flows generated in the local area. It is intended to provide long-term resilience to the community.
Advanced investigatory works are anticipated in late autumn, ahead of the main construction programme which is expected to start in January.
The scheme is benefitting from a £1.4m investment, with an 85% contribution from Welsh Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Capital Programme. The remaining funding is from the Council’s Highways, Transportation and Strategic Projects Capital Programme for 2022/23.
The Council has appointed Lewis Civil Engineering Ltd to deliver the scheme, and the contractor will engage with the community ahead of the upcoming ground investigations, and throughout the main scheme starting in early 2023.
Several aspects of advanced work have already been completed at Glenboi Road in preparation for the scheme, including extensive surface water pipe upgrades, new pump outfall and BT Openreach diversions earlier this year. Measures to manage the site’s flood risk are still present and will remain in place throughout the scheme. These include a standby pump unit on site, and extra inspections to existing flood alleviation infrastructure.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “I’m pleased the Council has secured more than £1.2m of external funding to help deliver this £1.4m scheme, and welcome the Welsh Government’s continued support in providing funding across various programmes to compliment the Council’s significant flood alleviation and storm repair work across the County Borough.
“Glenboi Road has a history of flooding, including internal flooding to local properties most recently during Storm Dennis. The upcoming scheme is designed to introduce an enhanced surface water pumping station that can accommodate flows of water which enter into the low point within the road. As a result, the scheme will reduce flows to the existing culvert downstream, which is an area at high risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
“Improving resilience to flooding within Rhondda Cynon Taf continues to be a Council priority, with £12m spent on infrastructure upgrades and £15m on storm repairs in recent years. This financial year (2022/23), more than £6.4m Welsh Government funding is secured for further Storm Dennis repairs, plus around £3.9m for flood alleviation across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management and Small Scale Works Grant programmes. The Council has also received £400,000 to progress a further 10 Resilient Roads schemes.
“The Glenboi Road scheme will follow important flood alleviation work that got underway this summer, including the Upper Bronallt scheme in Abercwmboi during June, and phase one of the Treorchy Flood Alleviation Scheme from July. Major culvert upgrades at A4061 Rhigos Road were completed under the Resilient Road programme in August, while work is currently ongoing at Newtown, and at Dunraven Street and Abertonllwyd Street in Treherbert.
“Residents will notice the next phase of work start at Glenboi during late autumn this year, when the appointed contractor will begin initial ground investigations. This will be followed by the start of the main scheme in the New Year. Further information about the day-to-day work arrangements and disruption to the local community will be communicated ahead of the works getting underway.”
Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, added: “As the climate changes we are dealing with increasingly unpredictable weather throughout the year, which increases the risk of flooding. People in the community of Glenboi know this all too well following Storm Dennis in 2020 which wreaked havoc for many.
“I’m therefore pleased to have been able to support Rhondda Cynon Taf Council with £1.2m of funding from our Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme to construct a pumping station on Glenboi Road to alleviate flooding to 24 properties.
“Reducing the risk to homes and businesses in the face of more frequent and severe floods is of utmost importance, and I hope these measures help reassure those in the area.”
