Gardens preserved amid flood works
I AM writing following concerns raised with me in recent days in relation to the Roath, Cardiff, flood alleviation scheme. I met Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on December 11, and following this meeting I want to set out why I am assured NRW has taken the best course of action to reduce local flood risks.
The scheme will reduce the risk of flood to 405 properties. This includes 360 homes, 45 businesses and surrounding roads and footpaths. Many local residents will see their home insurance premiums reduce as a result. If the most recent, third phase of works were to be halted, it would leave 65 properties in Sandringham Road, Alma Road, Cressy Road and Marlborough Road School at significant flood risk.
Unfortunately, to complete the scheme, the removal of some trees has been necessary. Across all three phases of work, 140 trees (many of which are diseased and have shortened natural lives) will be felled and 122 new, established, trees will be planted in the gardens with an additional 200 saplings planted in the surrounding area. In this third phase of works 38 trees will be felled with 41 new trees planted. This involves planting new trees of the same or similar species as those lost to continue the Park Gardens’ value as an informal arboretum and reflect the original Edwardian design.
The scheme has been designed around the highest-value and rarer trees to retain as many of them as possible.
In my meeting with NRW they explained the options which had been considered when developing the scheme. Each option was assessed on technical viability, environmental impact, operational requirements, costs, programme and risks. The preferred option includes defence structures with elements of channel widening to increase capacity at Roath Brook and Roath Mill Gardens.
NRW has been planning and consulting on this scheme for years. Design work started in March 2014, planning permission was received in April 2016, and work started on site early in 2017. Throughout this time, NRW has worked with residents, businesses and stakeholders, who have helped shape the final design of the scheme, including minimising tree removal and reduction in walls. There have been numerous consultation events, newsletters and drop-in sessions, starting with an initial public consultation in May 2014 and most recently with a dropin session in November 2017.
NRW has tried to balance the need for flood defence against preserving the conservation area character. Given the ongoing risk to homes, I remain confident that this is a vital scheme and will provide positive benefits to the residents of Roath.
Hannah Blythyn AM Minister for Environment, Welsh
Government