Heavy rain and high tides test Llanrwst and Trefriw flood defences

Nov 11 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Llanrwst flooding

HEAVY rain and high tides caused extensive flooding in Llanrwst last week – but the Environment Agency Wales early warning systems and their £7m flood defence scheme helped to protects 96 properties in Llanrwst and Trefriw from flooding.

A combination of persistent heavy rain, high winds and high tides battered the region from Wednesday evening with the Conwy Valley experiencing extensive flooding.

Gwydir Road and Pont Fawr bridge were closed to traffic all day on Thursday.

An Environment Agency Wales spokesperson said at the time: “Yes there is some flooding on the low lying areas, particularly on Gwydir Road. We're monitoring situation closely as more rain is expected overnight.

“A Flood Warning has been in place for the Conwy Valley since this morning. The only one in Wales, at this present moment, there are eight other Flood Watches in Wales at this time.”

Despite flood water flowing through Gwydir Park, the rugby and football fields and Gwydir Road the Environment Agency said the newly installed demountable dams had not been used, but Agency staff were on standby.

Tu Hwnt I’r Bont tea room owner Tim Maddox is only too familiar with being flooded in the past but was open for business as usual on Friday.

He said: “Wednesday was not as bad as it looked. We got a 40 minute warning to move out at 9am on Thursday from the Agency so we were prepared.

“We’ve never had so much attention, the Agency came round to check on us and the Fire Service even called but in the end we weren’t flooded and were open for business as usual on Friday.”