RCT Council has secured major Welsh Government funding and will soon begin work to deliver a significant flood alleviation scheme in Abercwmboi – to reduce the risk of flooding to properties and the main road at Bronallt Terrace.
On Thursday, June 16, the Council Leader met with local ward Councillors to provide a briefing and overview of the works. The scheme, using Welsh Government funding for flood alleviation, will begin on Monday, June 27. The work will take place off the unnamed road (parallel to the B4275) where Pit Cottages are located. To the west of these houses, a watercourse runs through an area of countryside and passes through existing drainage infrastructure, which is being upgraded by the upcoming works.
The scheme will include construction of a large attenuation pond along the existing culvert, to significantly increase its capacity. Attenuation ponds collect water and slowly release it into the drainage system – helping to prevent the system becoming overwhelmed in heavy rainfall. The scheme will also provide a debris control point and an improved access for future maintenance works.
The Council will carry out this work alongside sub-contractor Hammonds Ltd. The work will last up to four months, with minimal disruption to the community due to the remote location of the work site. The site will be accessed off the B4275 at its junction with Abercwmboi Cottages, which leads to Pit Cottages.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “This major scheme in Abercwmboi will deliver a significant upgrade to existing drainage infrastructure, by collecting rainwater and reducing the volume of water that the network will have to manage at any one time. This will have a knock-on benefit further downstream during heavy rainfall, by protecting local homes, businesses and the highway in and around the Bronallt Terrace area.
“I was able to visit the site this week with the Councillors for the Aberaman ward, and Officers will keep the Members updated on the progress of the scheme as it develops over the next few months.
“This work in Abercwmboi is similar to a recent scheme at Park Lane and Cae Pugh playing fields in Trecynon, which created a new channel and attenuation pond to increase the network’s capacity. Both schemes benefitted from major Welsh Government funding, and we welcome this continued level of support to help us deliver targeted flood alleviation schemes for our communities.
“The Council also continues to invest in flood alleviation and drainage as a priority through its £26.3m Capital Programme for Highways, Transportation and Strategic Projects in 2022/23. In addition, more than £6.4m is secured from Welsh Government for Storm Dennis-related works this year, along with £400,000 to progress 10 further Resilient Roads schemes and around £3.9m earmarked for flood alleviation across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management and Small Scale Works Grant programmes.
“I’m pleased that the Upper Bronallt Flood Alleviation Scheme in Abercwmboi will soon be getting underway. Due to the works location away from the highway, it will be delivered without much disruption to the community. The Council will provide updates to residents as the work progresses, as it looks to deliver this important upgrade to the drainage network for the community.”
