Ceredigion floods: Work continues to prevent repeat

Work is continuing on a major project to prevent a repeat of the floods which devastated parts of Ceredigion a year ago, says Natural Resources Wales.

It said it had spent about £500,000 so far on repairs and flood defences but more work was needed.

Dozens of people were forced to flee their homes when a month's worth of rain fell in 24 hours on 8 and 9 June.

The Welsh government plans a victim support service after the devastation in Ceredigion and later in north Wales.

Aberystwyth and nearby Talybont, Dol-y-Bont, Penrhyncoch and Llandre were among the areas affected by the rising water in June last year.

Many of those who had to leave their flood-hit houses stayed in temporary accommodation for up to 10 months.

Parts of north Ceredigion had 5ft (1.5m) of standing water, with caravan parks, properties and businesses all suffering from the effects of the torrential rain.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said while the memories of the floods could never be erased, a lot of work to reduce the risk of them reoccurring had been carried out.

Phil Pickersgill of NRW said: "The floods of last June caused devastation and heartache to so many people in the area and we've been working with our partners to help repair the damage they caused.

"Although we have improved the area's resilience to flooding there is still work to be done and we'd like to reassure people in the area that we will continue to work with them on this.

"While we can't always prevent flooding we can help people prepare for it and we will continue to work with our partners to reduce the risk in flood affected communities."

Improving defences

NRW has introduced floodgates for the doorways of homes in Talybont, Dol-y-bont, Capel Bangor and Penrhyncoch.

A bridge at Penbontrhydybeddau, near Aberystwyth, has also been replaced after being washed away last June, while NRW's officers have worked with communities to give them a better understanding of their flood risk and how to prepare for it.

The agency said ongoing projects included improving defences to protect properties in Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, meeting caravan site owners to develop flood plans, building new river level and rain gauge stations to help improve warnings in at-risk areas, and introducing flood warning schemes in communities.

NRW said it had worked with Ceredigion council on a number of flood-related projects.

The authority said in April that it had spent more than £500,000 on the clean-up operation and repairs to flood damaged roads and bridges.

But the Welsh government provided the council with nearly £140,000 to help with the expense.

A council appeal to help those affected by the flooding has raised about £130,000.

Prince Charles made a donation to the fund and he and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, met some of the flood victims and the emergency services in Aberystwyth on 9 July last year.

Meanwhile the Welsh government says it is planning to introduce a support scheme for flood victims, the details of which are still being worked out.