Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCT) as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) will be commencing a Flood Alleviation Scheme in Cwmaman, Aberdare.
The proposed improvement works aim to alleviate the risk of flooding to approximately 78 residential properties which is estimated to benefit 179 residents (Based on average occupancy of 2.3).
The Council proposes to carry out land drainage improvement works on an ordinary watercourses’ (Nant Aman Fach) located North of the Glanaman Road and West of Brynhyfryd Highway. The works are intended to increase the height of the ordinary watercourse channels to better accommodate the volume of water conveying through the culvert structure. This will the improve the hydraulic efficiency of the culvert inlet/channels. These improvement works will reduce the risk of pluvial flooding in an area which is considered at high risk of flooding.
The LLFA is acting in accordance with its Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) high level objective to ‘Reduce the Consequences of Flood Risk.’ The strategy was published in January 2013 in accordance with Clause 10 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. The LFRMS objective aligns with the 5 overreaching national objectives set out within the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Wales.
According to the current Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) rankings, the Cwmaman community has been recognized as an area with a significant risk of flooding. Specifically, Cwmaman is ranked as the fourth highest risk community in terms of flood vulnerability.
Description of Works
The proposed works intend to maximise the capacity of the ordinary watercourse channel by standardising the height of the watercourse channel walls. These works will include structural works to raise the height of the existing channel walls, along with works to repair and stabalise existing channle sides.
By increasing the height of the channel, the volume of water that can be accommodated within the channel and downstream culvert inlet also increases. This additional capacity allows the channel to handle larger volumes of water during periods of high flow or heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.
In undertaking these works the scheme will aim to deliver on the following objectives within Council’s LFRMS.
|
1
|
Reduce distress by decreasing the population exposed to flood risk.
|
|
2
|
Reduce community disruption by reducing the amount of residential and commercial property exposed to flood risk.
|
|
3
|
Reduce risk to life by reducing the number of people exposed to risk of flooding of significant depth and velocity.
|
|
4
|
Reduce disruption to critical infrastructure or support the preparation of plans to allow their operation to be maintained.
|
|
5
|
Improve or not detrimentally affect water quality
|
|
6
|
Where possible, improve naturalness reducing modifications to channels, water bodies and, where appropriate, create or enhance natural floodplain storage linked to nature conservation and landscape initiatives.
|
|
7
|
Ensure projects are designed and constructed in a sustainable way.
|
|
8
|
Maintain, or where possible, improve the status of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Sites of Importance for Nature and Conservation (SINC) sites and contribute to the RCT biodiversity action plan.
|
|
11
|
Develop a better understanding of the risks of flooding from surface runoff, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and plan how best to communicate and share information with communities and businesses on all forms of flooding.
|
Undertaking these works the scheme aims to deliver multiple benefits as per the ‘Wales Future Generations Act Wales’:
A Healthier Wales – These works will directly support the alleviation of flooding to approximately 78 properties and directly support the mental well-being and health of 179 residents whose properties are at risk of future flooding.
A Resilient Wales – These works aim to improve the long term resilience of a culverted ordinary watercourse which facilitates and improves the existing social and economic resilience of the area through the reduction to disruption and residential damages/losses.
A More Equal Wales – This work will be to the benefit of all parts of society, all will be allowed to fulfil their potential by reducing the likelihood of flooding and enabling long term resilience for the community.
A Wales of More Cohesive Communities – Connectivity is critical and this work will allow us to maintain community's significantly important routes. As an organisation, the safety of our communities is paramount, and this work will also significantly reduce risk for commuters and local businesses. These works will provide connectivity resilience to the community of Cwmaman, via the resilience to Glanaman Road. This transport routes is relied upon as the principal arterial highway that serves the communities of Glanaman and Cwmaman.
A Globally Responsible Wales – The regulation of ordinary watercourses within RCT are intended to facilitate a catchment-based strategy to ensure the ordinary watercourse infrastructure is free flowing and unobstructed and in doing so ensure there is a positive net contribution to the global wellbeing of the community as a whole and indeed those residents that benefit from the watersheds within RCT.
THE RHONDDA CYNON TAF COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL (“The Council”) GIVES NOTICE in accordance with Regulation 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999 as follows:
1 The Council proposes to carry out land drainage improvement works on an ordinary watercourses’ (Nant Aman Fach) located North of the Glanaman Road and West of Brynhyfryd Highway. The works are intended to increase the height of the ordinary watercourse channels to better accommodate the volume of water conveying through the culvert structure. This will the improve the hydraulic efficiency of the culvert inlet/channels. These improvement works will reduce the risk of pluvial flooding in an area which is considered at high risk of flooding.
2 The Council does not intend to prepare an environmental statement in respect of the proposed improvement works. With reference to Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999, as the reasons for not intending to prepare an environment statement are that, considering the characteristics of the improvement works, the environmental sensitivity of geographical areas likely to be affected by the improvement works and the type and characteristics of the potential impact on the environment of the improvement works, it is considered that the proposed works will not have a significant effect on the environment.
3 The following mitigation and preventative measures will be implemented:
- Construction management to mitigate the effects from noise, vibration and dust;
- Construction Management to mitigate the time during which works operate within an Ordinary Watercourse
- Construction Management to mitigate the potential of pollution affecting the ordinary watercourse networks.
- Compliance with additional statutory requirements related to Ordinary Watercourse Consents (section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991).
4 A description of the location, nature and size of the improvement works are set out in Part I of the Schedule to this Notice.
5 Any person who wishes to do so may make representations in writing in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works to the Director of Frontline Services at Sardis House, Sardis Road, Pontypridd, CF37 1DU or via FRM@rctcbc.gov.uk within 30 days of the date of publication of this Notice.
6 The additional information concerning the improvement works set out in Part II of the Schedule to this Notice can be obtained from the Director of Frontline Services at Sardis House, Sardis Road, Pontypridd, CF37 1DU via the FRM@rctcbc,gov.uk inbox.
SCHEDULE
Part I – details of improvement works
Location of improvement works: Nant Aman Fach Ordinary watercourses within Cwmaman originating around the North of the Glanaman Road and West of Brynhyfryd Highway. (OSGR 299623, 199556).
Nature and size of improvement works: All temporary and permanent works associated with:
- Works to increase the height of the ordinary watercourse channels
- Reinstatement of all areas affected by the above works.
Part II – Additional information
The location of the proposed works is shown on Drawing Number: