Action call as town hit by yet more flooding misery
URGENT talks are needed over how to combat repeated flooding in Carmarthen after The Quay was deluged by water once again.
Following prolonged heavy rain throughout Wednesday, January 20, businesses along the riverside were left with a massive clean-up once again – for the third time in the last 12 months.
Storm Christoph swept in across the UK and saw
communities swamped by flooding.
Now, former Carmarthen mayor, Councillor Alun Lenny, is calling for action at The Quay ahead of further flooding in the future.
He said: “I will be speaking to the county council to look at what can be done to protect The Quay.
“One option would be put a temporary flood barrier there which can be brought in and slotted into place ahead of flooding.
“We are seeing the town experience flooding more regularly and I am convinced
it is to do with a rising water table and climate change.
“There has been talk of a permanent wall defence at The Quay but that involves Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and could be a very long way away from being a reality.
“We need to look at a temporary and robust defence method, similar to what communities along the River Severn have introduced.”
Along with The Quay, the A4242, which runs adjacent to the Towy, was closed on Thursday due to flooding.
Old Station Road was also blocked from both directions due to the water.
Parts of Pensarn were also flooded, with Pensarn Road itself impassable just beyond the roundabout.
Areas of Johnstown near the Tawelan brook had a narrow escape overnight into last Thursday.
Carmarthenshire Council had a pump at Old St Clears Road in Johnstown near the brook and managed to prevent water entering homes, which it has done previously.
Cllr Lenny said he praised the work of the authority in Johnstown.
He added: “The homes had a narrow escape but it was thanks to the council crew that spent several hours there on Wednesday and well into the evening manning the pump.”
Flooding gates were put across the road on the entrance to Abergwili village on the edge of Carmarthen.
The Quayside car park in Carmarthen was also under water.
Out of Carmarthen, the B4300 between Llanarthne and Capel Dewi was also closed on Thursday morning due to flooding.
Carmarthen mayor Gareth John said: “Controlling river flooding is the responsibility of the NRW. The Towy is obviously a major river, and alarmingly the so-called once-in-a-100-years flood now seems to be a regular occurrence.
“This being the case, we need to be told what plans, if any, this Welsh Government agency has for Carmarthen’s Quay.
“Businesses just cannot continue to suffer the current uncertainty as their premises are flooded on a regular basis with no apparent hope of a resolution.
“If, for whatever reason, a conventional flood defence wall is not feasible, then we should be told, so that other possible measures. such as placing temporary defences following flood warnings, can be considered,” said Cllr John, who is also Admiral of the Port of Carmarthen.