Engineers wade in to help Mid Wales flooding

A £650,000 flood defence scheme to prevent flooding in a Mid Wales town will be installed later this year, it was revealed today.

Plans for the scheme in Welshpool — which will see "trash screens" fitted in Lledan Brook which runs through the town and towpath levels raised along the Montgomery Canal in three locations — went on show to the public at Welshpool Town Hall yesterday.

The scheme, funded by Powys County Council, the Welsh Assembly and the EU, is currently being designed by council engineers and is expected to be installed this summer.

Robert Gilman, senior engineer with the council, said: "The centre of Welshpool has suffered from flooding in 1931, 1968, 2000 and 2007 with detailed computer modelling indicating that 148 properties are at risk during a one in 100 year event.

"The main source of flooding is the Lledan Brook which runs through the town and is culverted for much of its length. The culverts are vulnerable to blockage by floating debris which can lead to flooding.

"High flows in the Lledan Brook also cause floodwater to overspill into the Montgomery Canal, which then causes flooding to properties to the east of the canal.

"The works will involve constructing steel grilles or trash screens at the entrance to culverts and the construction of flood defences at locations along the brook.

"Work will also be undertaken on the canal in consultation with British Waterways to reduce the risk of flooding to properties to the east of the canal."