£1.5m project to protect South Wales homes from flooding

Vale of Glamorgan Council secured £1.5 million of Welsh Government funding to protect homes and community buildings at Dinas Powys.

That money will be used to make structures more resilient to flooding after many were engulfed by water when the River Cadoxton burst its banks four years ago.

A specialist contractor, Lakeside Flood Solutions, has been appointed to undertake the work, which will be project managed by consultants Wardell Armstrong on behalf of the council.

Measures that can make a property more resilient to flooding include flood doors or barriers, airbrick covers, non-return valves and external waterproofing.

Affected properties will be contacted over the next few weeks to arrange for a survey to identify the works required, with installation carried out this calendar year.

A presentation on the project was recently delivered to the Dinas Powys Flood Action Group.

Homes were under threat recently during Storm Henk (Image: Supplied)

Read more: Dinas Powys residents faced evacuation during Storm Henk

Cllr Mark Wilson, Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet member for neighbourhood and building services, said the work was being done not only to protect buildings, but to protect community assets.

“Flooding causes serious trauma for those whose properties are affected. Damage can be expensive to repair, while there is also the emotional cost of seeing your home submerged in water.

“The properties identified for this programme of work are ones at a high risk of being flooded, something many of them have suffered before.

“The measures introduced will not only help protect these buildings, but also reduce the impact on those living locally by protecting community assets.

“Work will be completely financed with grant funding from Welsh Government and overseen by expert companies, who specialise in delivering such projects.”