Farmers’ anger after acres of land flooded despite warnings
MEIRIONNYDD’S farmers have expressed “anger and frustration” following the flooding of several hundred acres of farmland.
“Tremendous damage” was caused to prime agricultural land when the Afon Croesor overtopped at Llanfrothen, near Porthmadog, in the recent storms.
Rubbing salt in the wound for local producers were the repeated warnings they have given about flooding in the local Internal Drainage District (IDD).
Site meetings were held with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) following flooding last July.
FUW Meirionnydd CEO Huw Jones said: “NRW officers were shown trees and overhanging branches which impede the flow of the river, and where maintenance work is urgently required.
“We also discussed the clear need to dredge parts of the river.
“Flood banks in urgent need of repairs were also shown, with a request that a detailed inspection is carried out as soon as possible, with a view to making repairs as soon as possible.
“We gave a clear warning that doing nothing was not an option.”
FUW member Glyn Griffiths, who farms near Llanfrothen, said it was clear that the river Croesor’s capacity has been reduced by a lack of regular dredging.
Mr Griffiths who chairs the local Dwyfor & Meirionnydd IDD
Advisory Group, said NRW has a statutory responsibility to maintain the IDD.
He said various problem areas, including the Afon Dwyryd at Maentwrog, were flagged up to NRW staff last summer.
“We were promised that works would be carried out,” he said.
“It is so disappointing that these promises were not kept, and the necessary works not carried out.”
The FUW now hopes to arrange more meetings with NRW, and has pledged to “explore fully” whether there has been in breach of legal responsibilities.
Conservationists say dredging is not recommended because it can trap sediment, weaken riverbanks and can be harmful to the environment.
Neither can it prevent rivers from flooding, due to the large volumes of water involved, and may simply displace flooding elsewhere.