Feedback sought on flood risk management options at Aberdulais
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking feedback on flood risk management options for Aberdulais, Neath.
A new hydraulic model, which looks in-depth at the long-term flood risk in the area, has been completed, with flood risk being a combination of the probability and the potential consequences of flooding.
Maps and information are now available online and people from the area are encouraged to provide feedback on the options presented.
The virtual space presents the model baseline, runs through the option appraisal process and allows space for people to provide their feedback, including alternative option suggestions.
The Aberdulais community has flooded multiple times in the past 40 years, where homes and businesses have suffered internal flooding. The most recent being during Storm Dennis in 2020 when 27 properties flooded.
Since then, a section of footpath alongside the River Neath has been raised to reduce the flood risk for the path and 30 residential properties were installed with Property Flood Resilience measures.
Merrissa Fallas, Projects and Programmes Delivery Officer, for Natural Resources Wales, said:
“We have carried out extensive work to update the hydraulic modelling for Aberdulais.
“We held a well-attended drop-in session in Aberdulais before Christmas. We’re keen to share the new model and flood risk mitigation options that could help to build resilience in the area more widely.
“While we are clear that we can not prevent flooding at Aberdulais during extreme weather events, we have developed options that could potentially reduce flood water levels and therefore reduce the impact of flooding.
“I encourage people to view the options online and provide feedback. This will be used to help us develop our next steps.”
The model has been updated to accurately reflect the fluvial flow and pathway in the community during a flood event. The model has been calibrated using recent storm events.
The model demonstrates that during a high risk event it is not possible to improve the impact of flood water to a flood zone without causing detriment to an adjacent zone. However it may be possible to reduce the impact of flooding within the community during a lower risk event.
The following flood management options identified for Aberdulais have been tested with the new hydraulic model:
Full Removal of Aqueduct – increase in-channel conveyance by fully removing the aqueduct
Partial Removal of Aqueduct – increase in-channel conveyance by partially removing the aqueduct
River Neath Bank Raising/Flood Wall – raising banks in the study area to a single, high standard of protection
Weir Removal – increase in-channel conveyance by removing the weir
Wall at CanalSide with Flood Water Conveyance in Canal – construct wall in front of Canal Side terrace, with the Tennant Canal receiving excess flows from River Neath
Upstream Storage – impounding water upstream to control peak flow
Merrissa added:
“Once feedback has been sought, the project team will begin to develop an outline business case, which will consider technical, environmental, social and cost factors. All viable options will be short-listed and further scrutinised.
“If viable, we will recommend a preferred option and ask for feedback from the local community.”
Community members have until midnight on Monday, February 26 to provide feedback on these options. The project team will then move on to stage two, of developing an outline business case.
To view the information in more detail and provide feedback visit: https://bit.ly/AberdulaisENG