Posted: Sat 24th Feb 2024

Caerphilly council faces £3 million bill to protect eroding river banks in Ystrad Mynach

news.wales / newyddion.cymru
This article is old - Published: Saturday, Feb 24th, 2024

Caerphilly Council will have to spend nearly £3 million on “long-term” defences to protect eroding river banks in Ystrad Mynach.
The Nant Cylla watercourse flows “rapidly” through the town, causing scouring and erosion to the banks.
A series of “temporary measures” have failed to prevent further wear and tear, and the council is now faced with a hefty bill to restore the banks and protect them for the next 100 years.
The council has the legal obligation to maintain some stretches of the banks, while others are under private control.
Nigel George, the cabinet member for corporate services, told colleagues at a meeting on Wednesday February 21 the river could be protected by reducing the rate of water flow and “lessen the likelihood of and impact of scour”.
Scouring refers to the removal of sediment from around a structure, which can weaken and pose risks to river banks and bridges.
The council is likely to work with landowners along the affected stretch of the Nant Cylla, noting that a “single scheme that addresses the entire stretch of the watercourse would result in better and more sustainable outcomes”.
Failing to provide the same level of protection along the whole stretch could mean current problems will be “exacerbated”, Mark Goodger, a council principal engineer, told the meeting.
But some outbuildings along the banks could be demolished if they were built without planning permission, because they may be “further weakening the banks” and are “liable to collapse”.
The money for the project will come from uncommitted capital earmarked reserves.
Meanwhile, Caerphilly Council is consulting the public on plans for a new flood risk management strategy for the county borough.
Hefin David, the Senedd member for Caerphilly, has urged residents to have their say.
He said: “If any residents have any comments or feedback in relation to the draft strategy, I would encourage them to have their say by submitting comments to the consultation. This has been a big issue locally for some time, so I would expect there to be many people wanting to get involved.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

  ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​



Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales



More from Caerphilly County Borough Council

Caerphilly Council Learns Lessons Following Series of Complaints About Bin Collections and Litter

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Caerphilly School’s Kitchen Extension Plan Rejected by Council

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Parking Restrictions in Caerphilly County Borough Could Be Extended to 8pm, Despite Concerns

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Petrol Station in Blackwood Seeks Alcohol Licence

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Electrification of Cardiff-Rhymney Railway Line Set for Completion by Autumn 2025

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Councils to Play Central Role in Changes to 20mph Speed Limits in Welsh Roads, Says Caerphilly Senedd Member

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Latest from News.Wales

Spanner Thrown into Works of New Home to School Transport Policy in Powys as Opposition Groups Join Forces

Powys Council

Health Chiefs to Revisit Proposals Amid “Significant Concern” Over Hospital Service Changes

Powys Council

Newport councillor calls for more public toilets in city centre for successful events

Newport Council

New Homes to be Built in Garden Near Herefordshire’s Border with Wales

Powys Council

Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Avoids Informing Residents of Emergency Accommodation Plans

Vale of Glamorgan Council

Ukrainian mother in Vale of Glamorgan opens up on delays to new accommodation

Vale of Glamorgan Council