Will the Cabinet Secretary intervene to pause the Roath Brook flood management scheme being undertaken by Natural Resources Wales in lower Penylan, Cardiff, prior to a tree-felling exercise scheduled to take place on 4 December 2017?
The Welsh Government remains supportive of the scheme and does not currently plan to intervene. The community has a very high risk of flooding and has experienced a number of near-misses in recent years. Pausing now means homes remain at risk, would result in significant additional costs and have an effect on the overall flood risk management programme.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has delayed tree felling to 11 December 2017. This allowed Cardiff Council's Environment Scrutiny Committee to meet on 5 December and provide recommendations. NRW are expecting to receive a report later this week and will consider the contents.
The Roath flood risk management scheme significantly reduces flood risk to over 400 properties, including 360 homes. It is unfortunate trees are being felled to allow for construction of this scheme, however over 120 mature trees are being re-planted within Waterloo Gardens with a further 200 saplings being planted off-site in Roath Recreation Ground.
NRW has worked closely with the local community, stakeholders and Cardiff Council over the last five years whilst designing and constructing the scheme, mitigating impacts wherever possible.