£5m bill to keep part of Cardiff from flooding

WORKS costing up to £5m could be needed to protect part of Cardiff from flooding.

Coastal erosion between the Rover Way foreshore and Rhymney River means there is now a danger of coastal flooding.

Should the issues fail to be addressed, it is feared there could be millions of pounds of damage.

An initial assessment of the issues has taken place and the Welsh Government gave Cardiff council a £400,000 grant though only £160,000 of that was needed to make that report.

What will follow is a report about what should happen next, but the estimate is that between £4m and £5m of work will be needed.

The Welsh Government would only pay 75% of that, leaving the council with an expected bill of least £1m.

Cabinet member Bob Derbyshire said: I am able to advise that the Rover Way foreshore through to the Rhymney River estuary is an area in danger of coastal flooding.

“There is significant erosion of the coastline, which if not addressed, will cause defence failure and flood-related damage running to millions of pounds within Cardiff.

“Through an initial assessment, the flood and water management team have determined the scale of the problem and successfully bid to Welsh Government for £400,000 financial assistance through the Coastal Risk Management Programme grant.

“A programme to deliver a structured approach to managing the issue going forwards is now in place. Through a successful tendering exercise, JBA Consultants are completing a project appraisal report based on the findings of detailed investigation and analysis that will provide an outline design of a recommended way forward.

“In addition to the above, a project appraisal report will be available at the end of April 2017 and this will be utilised to consider how the council proceeds.

“The estimate is £4 to £5m coastal improvement work is required to remove the inherent risk of flooding.

“Any further funding by the Welsh Government would be limited at 75% of the total cost.

“I recognise that coastal flooding is a risk to Cardiff and I am therefore pleased to see this programme moving forward”.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have provided Cardiff council with £160,000 to undertake a study of the area around the Rhymney Estuary, including Rover Way. We now await the council’s case for investment before a decision is made on further funding.

“This is part of our plans for a £150m investment with local authorities in coastal risk management and climate change adaptation.”