Update on flood risk management in Llangefni

Flood risk management authorities are providing an update on flood risk management in Llangefni.

A community flood plan for the area, outlining collaborative work to prepare and respond to future flooding incidents, remains in place.

The plan was developed by the Llangefni community, in consultation with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Anglesey County Council and other professional partners, to ensure a coordinated and informed approach to flood risk management.

Under the plan and as part of its role, NRW will continue to monitor river levels managing risks from main rivers, inspect the Afon Cefni for blockages and flood risk and continue to take action when necessary to address any issues.

As the lead local flood authority, Anglesey County Council is responsible for managing flood risk from all local sources, including surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses.

The County Council and NRW will continue to work collaboratively on flood risk matters related to the main river.

After flooding in 2017, NRW commissioned a study to gain a clearer understanding of both current and future flood risk from the Afon Cefni, and to explore potential options to reduce that risk.

This process, based on established Welsh Government procedures, involved consultation with the community, key stakeholders and flood risk authorities including the County Council and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

It also included updated flood modelling, preliminary design options and cost estimates.

Although the study concluded it was not possible to develop an economically viable business case to fund a scheme, partners remain committed to working together and are open to explore alternative solutions.

Sian Williams, NRW’s Head of North West Wales Operations, said:

We would like to again thank the community and Llangefni Flood Warden Group for their work on the community flood plan.

Working in partnership with the County Council, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and the community, the plan offers a framework to manage flood risk and sets out roles and responsibilities.

Although a flood improvement scheme is not possible, concerns remain over residual flood risk in the town. We remain open to cooperate with any organisation or initiative wishing to develop proposals in the future while continuing to work with partners to best manage the ongoing risk.

Work is ongoing on asset maintenance and inspection programmes, updating community flood engagement and awareness and looking at the possibility of a site-specific flood warning system.

We are intending to look at property level protection, but this will require more work and based on resource and funding we cannot currently give a definitive timeline for this.

We are also encouraging people to sign up to our flood warning service so they can be prepared and take steps to protect their properties in advance of any future incidents.

NRW continues to work with landowners to remind them of their responsibility to manage and maintain trees on their land so they do not fall into the river or restrict water flow which can increase flood risk.

In Wales, it’s estimated that 1 in 7 properties (272,817) are currently at risk of flooding. Over the next century, an additional 46,000 homes could face increased flood risk from rivers and the sea.

Sian added:

The impacts of climate change are being felt across our communities, increasing the risk of flooding. We can’t stop all flooding but through the priorities set out in our Flood Risk Management Plans we can work to reduce risk in areas where we have a lead responsibility.

There is no silver bullet to stop flooding. We cannot simply build our way out of this, so it is important that we consider all options available within our flood risk toolbox.

Huw Percy, Head of Service for Highways, Waste and Property at Anglesey County Council, said:

We remain committed to continue to work collaboratively with both NRW and the local community, to maximise resilience and minimise, as far as practically possible, the risk of flooding that exists in Llangefni.

Members of the community can sign up for flood warnings in Welsh and in English via Natural Resources Wales / Sign up to receive flood warnings