THE MP for Vale of Clwyd, James Davies, has asked for an urgent meeting to discuss how a recurrence of the flooding which devastated homes and businesses on October 20 can be prevented in the future.
Storm Babet caused significant quantities of rainfall across North East Wales and resulted in localised areas of flooding across Denbighshire.
Dr Davies said he received many calls and emails from those affected and has since visited a number of the sites which were hit.
He has called for a meeting with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Welsh Water and Denbighshire County Council (DCC) to discuss the matter further.
The causes of the flooding, Dr Davies said, appeared to be:
- Overtopping of inadequately-flowing drainage ditches.
- Overtopping of the Afon Ffyddion, by Dyserth.
- Large quantities of surface water flowing downhill within culverts, lifting manhole covers and then escaping onto roads.
- Inadequate surface water gulley drainage capacity.
- Underwater flows combined with a raised water table.
In a letter to NRW, Welsh Water and DCC, he wrote: “The impact of this flooding on both people and businesses has been substantial, with many roads closed, businesses affected and residents temporarily relocated.
“Of course, I appreciate that with unprecedented rainfall it can be difficult to mitigate all flooding.
“However, there were a number of locations where concerns have previously been raised over flooding risks, or which have been flooded sometimes multiple times in the past.
“In the past, I have made repeated representations to NRW to seek better maintenance of the Rhyl Cut and the Prestatyn Gutter.
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“While I was assured that most areas of the cut would be maintained once a year and other areas could be maintained at least twice a year, the frequency or extent of the works is evidently not sufficient to minimise the risk of flooding.
“In addition to basic maintenance, it would seem to me that NRW should also explore the potential for better pumping systems to ensure that water is not left stagnant but can flow through more easily into the Clwyd Estuary at times of greater rainfall.
“As a result of further poor maintenance of watercourses, I witnessed significant areas of farm land which were flooded in Rhuddlan.
“This, of course, has had a large impact on the operation of the farms themselves.”
Dr Davies also referred to the roads which were flooded in large parts of the Vale of Clwyd, leaving some communities isolated.
He added: “Flooding in Dyserth was also of particular concern. This occurred through at least three mechanisms.
“Clearly, there is a great need in Dyserth for a promised comprehensive flood defence plan to move forward rapidly.
“Issues in St Asaph were also brought to my attention. The River Elwy flood defences in St Asaph prevented a repeat of the widespread damaging flooding in 2012, and this is to be celebrated.
“However, the Llys y Felin flats for the elderly were inundated once more. Again, this appears to have been due to drainage systems that are unable to cope with large volumes of surface water flowing into them, via a downhill culvert.
“It is clear that the construction of a small bund, the installation of individual flood barrier systems and the fitting of non-return valves to the drains have sadly been insufficient. It is very important that this issue be dealt with once and for all.”
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