A county councillor has called for a full investigation following the Sunday morning flooding which hit Welshpool Hospital and other town properties.
Welshpool was hit by a spectacular thunder storm on Sunday morning causing freak flooding to sweep through the town’s Victoria Memorial Hospital and many homes causing road closures and thousands of pounds worth of damage.
And now Powys County Councillor Graham Breeze, whose Llanerchyddol ward took the brunt of the storm, is demanding a detailed probe into the reasons a culvert again failed to protect the town’s hospital.
“The storm was probably the worst to be seen in living memory, causing a repeat of the devastation of a few years ago when the Bull Dingle culvert failed to cope with the sudden deluge of water,”said Councillor Breeze.
“The result was a “river” of water crashing through the hospital and closing the birthing and accident and emergency departments.
“Properties in Bronybuckley estate and at the bottom of Gungrog Hill were also hit as thousands of gallons of water simply proved too much for overworked drains.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the incredible response by the emergency services, particularly Welshpool fire crews. They responded magnificently to help avoid a more serious situation as the flash floods threatened lives and property. County Council and Town Council staff also responded brilliantly.”
Properties in Bron-y-Buckley estate and at the bottom of Gungrog Hill were also hit as thousands of gallons of water simply proved too much for overworked drains.
“But as the clean-up begins residents are quite righty asking questions and as the Powys County Councillor for the ward hit hardest by the flooding I have demanded to know the answers – having only recently been assured that there would never be a repeat of the flooding to hit the town’s hospital.
“The Bull Dingle culvert at the bottom of Borfa Green bank deals with millions of gallons of water during a year and for over 12 months I have been highlighting the dangers of another blockage after damage was caused.
“Residents have also been bombarding the council with complaints of blocked drains for a long time and are complaining to me that they are not happy with the responses they received.
“Following my request County Council Portfolio Holder Phyl Davies has already instigated a full inquiry and no stone must go unturned. This must not be allowed to happen again.”
Picture by Gary Williams