Flood risk in Islwyn – Friday 7 February

In attendance:

• Ruth Jones, Member of Parliament for Newport West and Islwyn
• Rhianon Passmore, Senedd Member for Islwyn
• Cllr Nigel George, Caerphilly County Borough councillor for Risca East and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Property and Highways
• Cllr Carl Thomas, Caerphilly County Borough councillor for Crumlin
• Cllr Kristian Woodland, Caerphilly County Borough councillor for Crumlin
• Helena Hopkins, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water client manager for wastewater services
• Ross Barry, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water sewerage manager for South East Wales
• Sam Collingwood-Lane, Network Rail route engineer
• Olivia Bauer, Network Rail community relations manager

Attending virtually:

• Steve Morgan, Natural Resources Wales head of operations South East Wales
• Tim England, Natural Resources Wales operations manager
• Annie Smith, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water community manager
• Lauren Kinsey, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water public affairs advisor
• Neil Johnson, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water asset engineer
• Patrick James, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water asset manager

Meeting notes

1. Ruth Jones MP thanked everyone for attending the meeting and outlined the focus on constructive conversation and finding solutions. She asked Cllr Carl Thomas to begin the meeting by summarising the flooding issues in Crumlin.

2. Cllr Thomas described the flooding to properties on North Road during Storm Bert and asked Welsh Water how often the water is desilted.

Silt: fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment, especially in a channel or harbour.

3. Neil Johnson (Welsh Water) said the surface water sewer is attended and desilted annually, each September/October. Current silt levels mean there is no need for it to be desilted twice per year. Helena Hopkins (Welsh Water) added the silt levels are monitored and the clearing will be brought forward if necessary.

4. Ruth Jones MP asked what work Network Rail does to mitigate the potential for flooding with regards to the doubling of the track between Crosskeys and Aberbeeg. Sam Collingwood-Lane (Network Rail) explained there is a drainage design included in the doubling of the track and he would obtain the relevant flood risk assessments. When Network Rail complete work, they are prohibited from exacerbating flood risk factors elsewhere.

5. Rhianon Passmore MS said residents in Abercarn and Crosskeys believe flooding has been exacerbated by this work and the removal of undergrowth by the tracks. She will arrange a similar meeting between the rugby clubs and flooding authorities and suggested sending site plans to Network Rail.

6. Cllr Thomas and Cllr Woodland added they would be happy to meet representatives in Crumlin. Sam Collingwood-Lane (Network Rail) said they would be happy to arrange a visit.

7. Steve Morgan (Natural Resources Wales) said his team manages existing flood defences, clears debris from rivers and works with other asset owners. Tim England (NRW) said they are aware of flood water coming from the River Ebbw during very large events like Storm Dennis and Storm Bert. Some initial enquiries have been done. The challenge for Crumlin is the flood water comes from a number of sources. The issue is complex and if a meeting is held, the same parties should attend. An NRW engineer who has been heavily involved in Crumlin investigations could join.

8. Tim England (NRW) said NRW has used river flows from Storm Dennis and Storm Bert in hydraulic modelling and it does not correspond with real observations. This suggests there are inaccuracies with NRW’s flood model. NRW plan to review their flood model along the River Ebbw next year – not just in Crumlin. This will provide better information on flood risk and current protection levels for communities.

Hydraulic modelling: a collection of mathematical equations that give a simple representation of reality. Models can estimate flow, water level and velocity in river channels; pipe networks; tidal systems; open coast processes; floodplains.

9. Ruth Jones MP asked if the flood plan would be developed in 2026. Tim England (NRW) clarified they plan on doing the modelling in the next financial year (2025/26) dependent on Welsh Government funding. Rhianon Passmore MS asked how long it would take to progress from the development of a plan to implementation. Tim England (NRW) outlined the various stages – modelling, assessment, strategic outline case, outline business case, then full business case. It typically takes three to five years.

10. Cllr Nigel George (Caerphilly County Borough Council) said gulleys throughout the borough are cleaned every six months though the council is now looking to prioritise and de-prioritise according to need. Helena Hopkins (Welsh Water) asked if NRW could share their investigation about flows going in. Tim England (NRW) agreed and explained the report comprised engineers’ notes and views from residents.

11.Ross Barry (Welsh Water) explained the Western Valley Trunk Sewer (WVTS) picks up flows from Ebbw Vale and the Sirhowy Valley before it heads towards Newport. It is around 30km in length and conveys around 1,500 litres per second. The sewer is susceptible to in-flows and rainwater. There is a single defect at the Abercarn Welfare Ground that has been fenced off. Rhianon Passmore MS noted the sewage is surfacing on the field.

12. Ross Barry (Welsh Water) explained they would typically, in these cases, look to over-pump the water so as to reduce flows and do the necessary repairs. However, this is not possible at Abercarn because the trunks are so full there is nowhere to put the water. As such, they are waiting for the river level to drop so they can do the repairs.

13. Welsh Water investigations have found no issues with the surface water sewer and the sewer is clear from obstructions or silt build-up at North Road, Crumlin.

14. Welsh Water has however identified an incident near Tanybryn Gardens in Risca where a Combined Storm Overflow has been periodically discharging. Investigations have found three holes in the trunk upstream near Riverside Terrace (Newbridge). Damage to the trunk during Storm Bert washed off the concrete casing. This has occurred in two places within 500 metres. When the river level rises, it drains the river into the sewerage network. There is a plan to repair the trunk but this requires drier weather in the springtime and lower river levels. This damage is restricting the capacity further downstream, as in Abercarn.

Storm overflow: designed to act as a relief valve when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed, such as during heavy downpours when a lot of rainwater runs into drains and the sewerage system in a short space of time.

15. Ruth Jones MP suggested Abercarn Rugby Club would not play at the Welfare Ground again this season. Helena Hopkins (Welsh Water) said the organisation has committed the investment to resolve this issue. Ross Barry (Welsh Water) agreed and said a meeting with the club would be useful to explain their plans.

16. Ross Barry (Welsh Water) highlighted another issue in Abercarn where the river has eroded the footpath and exposed the trunk sewer. Welsh Water hopes to work with Caerphilly Council to reinstate the footpath before a storm can damage the trunk. Rhianon Passmore MS asked when Welsh Water would liaise with the council to repair the footpath. Ross Barry (Welsh Water) said they were hoping to begin the discussion following the meeting.

17. Ruth Jones MP welcomed the collaboration and reiterated the aim of the meeting: to determine solutions. She asked if the CSO at Abercarn Welfare Ground had been running continuously since 23 January, as Welsh Water’s live map suggested. Ross Barry (Welsh Water) said he would investigate the details of this. Helena Hopkins (Welsh Water) outlined the organisation’s commitment to complete a harm assessment of every Welsh Water Storm Overflow in Wales over the next 15 years. They are working with NRW to address the high priority cases and reduce harm into rivers. Rhianon Passmore MS asked if Welsh Water could relay the concerns from this meeting to affect the assessment. Helena Hopkins (Welsh Water) said she would speak to the storm overflow manager to ask.

18. Cllr George (CCBC) said Caerphilly Council had applied to the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) for flood resilience work. Ruth Jones MP noted Crosskeys RFC’s belief the council would clear the mud and debris after Storm Bert. Cllr George explained there was an arrangement in place for the club to deal directly with the insurance company to reduce delays in flood recovery work. Rhianon Passmore MS welcomed the news of an SPF bid as there was a lot of opportunity to improve the club’s flood resilience.

19. Rhianon Passmore MS relayed the belief in Crosskeys that work completed by Network Rail around the tracks has exacerbated the severity of flooding. Sam Collingwood-Lane (Network Rail) agreed a site visit to the club would be beneficial.

20. Tim England (NRW) said Natural Resources Wales have no further flood defence plans for Risca. They delivered a scheme around 10 years ago which managed the risk from the River Ebbw and they are pleased with its success. This scheme had a 50-year allowance for climate change. He suggested the problem relates to surface water drainage and the local authority has powers to manage these risks.

21.Cllr George (CCBC) refuted a rumour that the gulleys in Risca had been blocked at the time of Storm Bert; this was not true. The council cleared them according to schedule in June and they were due to be cleaned again in December. Council workers were in Risca to check the gulleys after the storm but they were all clear.

22.Ross Barry (Welsh Water) said they had two reported incidents during Storm Bert in Risca but there were no issues with their network at the time. Welsh Water would be keen to contact Caerphilly Council’s flooding engineer as there might be work they can explore together.

23.Ruth Jones MP said she is concerned about the often-responsive nature of this flood defence work, while extreme weather events like Storm Bert were likely to become increasingly frequent and severe. She suggested we need more preparation. Tim England (NRW) agreed; every major city with a river will require extensive climate change proofing and it is a big challenge for the future. Cllr Thomas observed that affected residents appreciate an open dialogue with organisations.

24. Ruth Jones MP suggested a joint site visit and asked if the organisations could commit to a date in the coming weeks. Tim England (NRW) said an engineer could attend in Crumlin; they would not be interested in every location but they have identified Crumlin as a priority.

25.Rhianon Passmore MS said Blackwood Rugby Club had not enjoyed a positive relationship with NRW and she would like to discuss this with the organisation. She also raised the relationship between Crosskeys Rugby Club with NRW and Network Rail and suggested involving the clubs in a future visit.

26.Tim England (NRW) said NRW have always been open with rugby clubs and met with several recently. He suggested clubs have not reported a positive relationship with NRW because they cannot give them the answers they want to hear. NRW’s priority is to reduce the risk of flooding to homes. Rugby pitches serve as flood plains and if they are protected from flooding, other properties will be damaged. Tim England (NRW) suggested the clubs would instead benefit from becoming more flood resilient. Steve Morgan (NRW) said the organisation have people who can advise on this. On the point of project appraisals, NRW would like to have an option to fast-track new flood defence schemes where appropriate, but they are obliged to follow the process.

27.Ruth Jones MP said they understand the process is long but in Crumlin they are even further back because the causes of the flooding are somewhat unknown. Sam Collingwood-Lane (Network Rail) suggested the organisations share asset records before the next meeting to determine points of interconnectivity.

28. Cllr Woodland reported the shafts for the Navigation Colliery in Crumlin were not historically capped properly but this has since been rectified by the Coal Authority. There is also a natural spring somewhere on the site. Ruth Jones MP suggested NRW could help to determine the impact, if any, of the spring.

29. All parties agreed to arrange a joint visit to Crumlin.