Flooding projects need to be co-ordinated

The first part of a project to address flooding east of Guilsfield is set to begin, with fed up residents of The Wern area, in particular, hopeful that it will ease their annual problems.

But there is concern that several projects are currently on the boil with a lack of co-ordination to ensure they are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) announced that it is to carry out survey work on the Guilsfield Brook (pictured) and several tributaries feeding into it. It follows several years of worsening floods downstream from the village.

But the Welsh Government has also committed £67,624 in grant funding towards a separate natural flood management project in alleviating the issues.

There is also another flood management project being initiated across the border towards Shrewsbury, and Guilsfield’s Community Council Chair fears that the three parties may not be co-ordinating their efforts.

“There are three different projects and little evidence of an integrated approach,” said Cllr Ian Harrison, who said he intends to liaise with the three projects.

“More locally there appears to be two projects and both are surveys. NRW’s responsibility is from Lower Varchoel to the River Severn confluence with Guilsfield Brook. This is to survey the area within that scope and build a model of the water courses for flood management planning purposes.

“From Lower Varchoel to upstream (to Guilsfield), the water course is defined as ‘ordinary’ and comes under the responsibility of Powys County Council. The £67k grant is to investigate flood management. This is being undertaken by the Land Drainage team. Add to that you have the downstream flood management project being initiated for Shrewsbury.”

Cllr Lucy Roberts, who represents some of the affected area on the County Council, said: “Natural Resources Wales are interested in collecting ground level information relating to the river bed, banks and floodplains as part of their ongoing flood risk modelling work.

“The study may also help to identify any possible flood management/alleviation solutions and their associated costs and benefits.

“In order to collect the required data, it may be necessary for their surveyors to gain access to the grounds of properties, or land that you may own. Access to the inside of houses and other buildings is not required.

“The work will begin on September 28, and will continue for 10 days.”

If residents have any concerns, they are advised to contact Neil Taunt on neil.taunt@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk