NRW launch review into Trevalyn flood assets following Storm Babet after performance branded ‘totally unacceptable’

Natural Resource Wales say they are ‘reviewing how all our flood assets performed across North East Wales and we continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the flooding in Trevalyn’ following firm criticism of flood defences.

Speaking as both local member and as Lead Member for the Environment at Wrexham Council, Cllr Hugh Jones said, “I am calling on NRW to respond to the flooding in Trevalyn which resulted from their failure to install the flood defences and pumping which is the required response for this area.

“This has left people evacuated from their homes and a number of houses still cut off. Some 6 days after the event they have still not installed the pumps and are nowhere to be seen. The excuse given was lack of resources, this is not acceptable given that they installed the flood defences at Station Road and Gun Street. It was a short distance to carry on and protect the residents of Trevalyn.

“Their performance is totally unacceptable and Welsh Government needs to respond.”

Trevalyn has the River Alyn (level graph at the top) , the Pulford Brook to the north and the River Dee to the east. Local defences were not activated, or not working, as the River Alyn hit record highs.

A NRW Spokesperson said: “Flooding can be devastating and our thoughts are with those affected by the heavy rainfall triggered by Storm Babet which impacted several communities across North East Wales.

“A severe flood warning was put in place in Llandrinio, Powys along with additional flood warnings and alerts, demonstrating the huge amount of rainfall that fell in North and Mid Wales over a relatively small amount of time.

“Our staff had been working extended shifts to minimise the effects of the storm where possible, but more rain fell more quickly in parts of Wales than the forecast had suggested.

“As we do after every serious flood event, we are reviewing how all our flood assets performed across North East Wales and we continue to look into the circumstances surrounding the flooding in Trevalyn.”