Work To Improve Cwmbran Culverts

Work to improve two watercourse culverts at the Byways and Penmaes Road in Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, is to begin following grant funding received from Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The entrances to the culverts will be amended and the inlet conditions improved to minimise the risk of them becoming overwhelmed with debris in extreme weather, and give the council more time to respond to any blockages. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Work is expected to start in early April and take around four to six weeks. While there will be some construction traffic in the area this is not expected to cause any disruption to residents. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In preparation for the work the council has removed vegetation and a number of trees from the sites. The work was carried out in consultation with the council’s ecology team to ensure that the impact to wildlife was minimised as far as possible. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Duncan Smith, chief officer for neighbourhood services, planning and public protection, said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“These culverts were built to recognised standards, and are subject to regular maintenance, however, during the unprecedented weather conditions we experienced in May 2014 they quickly became overwhelmed with debris and rubbish carried by the swollen waters. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Although a similar event is extremely unlikely, this work is now possible with additional funding from Welsh Government and will further reduce the flooding risk.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​