Plan to protect 450 properties from flooding announced
A PLAN to protect more than 450 properties in Ammanford from flooding has been announced.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has identified a number of improvements needed to protect the Carmarthenshire town from a repeat of the serious flooding seen there in the past.
The most recent case was in 2009, when a number of streets were deluged and the A483 was closed because of the floodwaters.
It is predicted that 250 properties are at risk of flooding, with a 1% chance of this happening each year during an “extreme flood event”, according to an NRW investigation.
Computer modelling shows the number of properties affected is likely to increase to more than 450 as a result of climate change.
The areas identified as being most at risk of being flooded are Bonllwyn, Aberlash Road, Tir-y-dail, Gwyn Fryn and Shands Road.
A statement released by NRW said: “Our investigations have shown that the cause of flooding in
Ammanford is complex, with floodwater spilling into the town at several locations.”
Reducing the potential of flooding from the rivers Loughor, Marlais and Lash is the focus of a number of new defences, which are part of a consultation running this month.
The plans include the construction of flood walls upstream and downstream of Dyffryn Bridge, including at Coleg Sir Gâr to protect the college site.
Proposed adaptations on Gwyn Fryn estate could include the felling of large trees between the houses and the riverbank.
NRW is “proposing tree planting to compensate for the loss of the large trees and improve the landscape of Gwyn Fryn estate”, should this be needed.
In Shands Road, the preferred option is to build a flood defence wall between the councilowned industrial units and the River Loughor, as well as fitting the properties with protection measures
to “increase to flooding”.
Following the consultation,
resilience
a full planning application will be submitted to Carmarthenshire Council.