Rhyl floods power cut prompts sub-station action call

An inquiry has been set up to improve the area's 'resilience' to flooding

Calls have been made to move an electricity sub-station from near a seafront after 350 homes lost power during a storm surge this month.

The facility in Rhyl, Denbighshire, can find itself "sitting in a trough of water" if waves breach defences, said local MP Chris Ruane.

ScottishPower had to reconnect customers after the flooding which damaged about 150 homes in the resort.

The company said it was looking at all options for the sub-station.

"The flood defences for that area obviously need looking at again but it would also make sense to move the sub-station to higher ground so that it is better protected from any potential problems," said Vale of Clwyd MP Mr Ruane.

"Because of its location between the first and second line of sea defences, if water does pass the sea wall, the sub-station ends up sitting in a trough of water."

Denbighshire council has re-housed 54 people since the flooding while others are staying with family and friends, unable to return home until after Christmas.

Homes also flooded at Kinmel Bay and Llanddulas in Conwy county, while 2,000 properties lost power around north Wales.

Earlier this month Natural Resources Minister Alun Davies said an investigation into the floods by Natural Resources Wales should help to improve future resilience and find out what happened.