Glasdir estate: Ruthin flood victims consider legal action

The river Clwyd inundated the Glasdir estate in Ruthin last November

Residents say they will consider legal action for compensation if anyone is found to blame for a flood which affected more than 100 Denbighshire homes.

The Glasdir estate at Ruthin was flooded after heavy rain in November.

An initial report showed the problem was caused by blocked culverts.

Victim Katy Williams said the local residents' association would consider legal action for compensation, but said "a lot of answers" were needed first.

Some residents say it could be six months before they return to their homes at Glasdir, which was branded a "ghost estate" by one householder.

They awoke on 27 November to find several feet of floodwater across much of the estate.

Some home owners claimed they had been assured before buying the properties that flood defences were adequate.

Last week, First Minister Carwyn Jones said there was no need for a public inquiry into the floods, adding that an initial report showed the problem was caused by blocked culverts.

However, Denbighshire council leader Hugh Evans said questions about the flood's cause remain unanswered.

'Moral duty'

He said the council was commissioning an independent investigation and said the local authority has "a moral duty to provide answers to the residents of Glasdir".

Ms Williams, whose family was flooded out, said that if anyone was found at fault for the flooding, the residents' association would consider legal action for compensation.

She said: "We don't have a definitive plan to say 'okay we're going after so and so for compensation'. There's a lot of answers needed first.

"Obviously we haven't ruled it out, but it's far too early to say at the moment."

She added: "The priority is people getting back into their homes, being made safe in the immediate future and being given re-assurances this won't happen again.

"That's at the forefront of our minds, above any compensation."