Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed the publication of a Flood Investigation Report (FIR) on the major flooding experienced in St Asaph during Storm Ciara last year, but is calling for measures to reduce future flood risk to be agreed and implemented before next winter.
The report, ‘St Asaph and Elwy Communities: Storm Ciara 9th February 2020’, confirms that water levels in St Asaph on the River Elwy during the storm in February 2020 were higher than November 2012 when the town experienced major flooding, demonstrating the benefits of the improved defences.
However, it concludes that “there are lessons to be learnt by all Risk Management Authorities and Elwy residents in-order to continually improve how flood risk is manged in all parts of the Afon Elwy catchment” and makes a number of recommendations.
Commenting on the publication of the report, James said:
“I very much welcome the publication of this report, but we need to see the promised Performance Review published as soon as possible and measures to reduce future flood risk agreed and implemented before next winter.
“As the FIR concludes, although the flood risk management scheme at St Asaph performed well during last February’s Storm Ciara, providing benefit to over 370 properties, a number of residential properties and commercial premises did still flood. Some of these were outside the defended area for the St Asaph scheme and therefore flood risk needs to be managed in the future in these areas too.
James added: “The FIR states that: “the pattern of weather observed across Wales highlights the continual risk which flooding poses”. It is therefore vital that no time is wasted in putting the necessary measures in place to ensure that homes and businesses in St Asaph are better protected the next time extreme weather hits the area.
“I will continue to work with ward member Cllr Peter Scott and residents to ensure a satisfactory outcome for St Asaph.”
