Ground conditions delay Roath flood defence measures

WORK is continuing to install flood defence measures in a Cardiff suburb – but there have been some delays.

The works, by Natural Resources Wales, have been taking place near Roath Brook since January.

Works are planned for Penylan Road, through Roath Brook Gardens, Roath Mill Gardens, Waterloo Gardens and Railway Gardens.

New flood walls and embankments are being created and the river channel will be widened.

A number of bridges will be created to increase the brook’s flow capacity.

Trees are having to be removed as part of the works, something which caused upset among some residents when the plans were first announced.

New landscaping will be put in place to disguise some of the features.

Natural Resources Wales says more than 400 homes and businesses in the area are at risk of flooding from the brook.

Natural Resources Wales has issued an update about the works so far and says there have been delays with installing sheet piles due to ground conditions.

Installing the steel sheet piles at Railway Gardens should be completed by the end this month, at Waterloo Gardens by mid-December and at Roath Mill Gardens by the end of January.

The next stage of tree clearance in Roath Mill and Roath Brook Gardens will begin in either late November or December.

Tim England, operations manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: “The recent poor weather across Ireland and parts of the UK has shown how devastating flooding to homes and businesses can be, which is why flood defence work like this is an important part of what we do.

“We are currently installing steel sheet piles in various locations throughout Railway Gardens (The Sandies), Waterloo Gardens and Roath Mill Gardens but have experienced some delays because of ground conditions.

“We’re mitigating this delay by using different installation equipment and we plan to finish installing the last of the sheet piles by the end of January.

“The works to replace Waterloo Road bridge and the cladding of flood walls within Waterloo Gardens and Railway Gardens (The Sandies) are not affected by the piling delay and are progressing well and as planned.

“We are also planning to undertake the next stage of tree clearance within Roath Mill and Roath Brook Gardens in late November/December this year.”

To find out the progress of the scheme, visit the website www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/ roath