Natural Resources Minister visits Dolgellau flood scheme
The completion of a major flood risk management scheme is being marked with a visit to Dolgellau by Welsh Government Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant (Thursday 25 February, 11.00a.m.).
Funded by the Welsh Government, the £4.9million scheme reduces the risk of flooding for 310 homes and businesses.
Completed in the Autumn last year, the scheme has already prevented flooding in the town as river levels in the Wnion in December were higher than the previous defences.
Minister for Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant said:
“I am pleased to officially open the Dolgellau Flood Risk Management Scheme, which is reducing the risk from flooding to over 300 properties in the town. We recently witnessed our wettest December on record, yet have not seen widespread flooding in Wales which might have been expected, thanks in large part to flood schemes like this one.
I am particularly pleased to hear about the additional benefits a scheme like this brings in terms of biodiversity and in raising awareness within the community and local schools.”
The scheme, developed and managed by Natural Resources Wales, involved building new defences and improving existing ones along the left bank of the river Wnion, from the Enterprise Park to Ysgol y Gader playing fields.
Similar improvements were carried out on the banks of the Afon Aran and a weir was removed downstream of Pont yr Aran. The capacity of the floodplain was increased to create space for more water when needed.
During construction, pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau joined NRW staff on site to learn how the scheme defends the town from flooding.
Flood awareness sessions were held with local residents as well as school children.
NRW also carried out landscaping work in the town, created a new play area for the Ysgol Feithrin, installed bird and bat boxes and improved a fish pass.
Tim Jones, NRW Director of Operations, North & Mid Wales, said:
“We’re immensely grateful to local people for their co-operation as we’ve worked to build this long-term flood scheme for Dolgellau.
“While we can’t always prevent flooding from happening, we are confident that we have built a robust scheme for Dolgellau that significantly reduces the risk and provides effective, long-term, peace of mind for people in the town.”
For more information about flood plans, or flood warnings, please visit natural resources wales alerts. Or contact Floodline: – 0345 9881188
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