Calls for Mid Wales reservoirs to be better managed in order to prevent floods

Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, said there needs to be a great drawdown of water at Clywedog, near Llanidloes, and Lake Vyrnwy, during dry spells.

He has called on the Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, the Environment Agency and Hafren Dyfrdwy to put in place measures which will better manage both reservoirs.

Mr George said: “The recent appalling weather conditions have once again exposed the failure in operational arrangements and flood risk management at Clywedog and Lake Vyrnwy which has resulted in both reservoirs overflowing, the consequence of which has been downstream flooding in both areas.

“The fact that we see continuous overflowing over the top of each reservoirs, demonstrates the lack of control of water discharge.

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"Over a number of years, I have spoken of the necessity of a long-term solution to resolve the flooding issues which causes so much frustration and consternation for local residents and farmers, but the recent storms have again demonstrated that not enough has been done to improve the flood risk management arrangements in spite of earlier commitments to discuss the section 20 operating agreement that is currently in place, to provide greater flood attenuation."

He is now reiterating his concerns for all agencies involved to work together to review the management of the reservoirs.

Mr George also said compensation should be paid to landowners who are affected.

“I think we can accept that there is always going to be consequences of serious weather conditions, but our local reservoirs can be much better managed to reduce the effect of adverse weather conditions," he added.

“I will continue to question the Welsh Government Minister for Environment & Rural Affairs and the other agencies involved until we see a long term solution to this issue which causes so much exasperation in the local community.”

Mr George is due to meet agency representatives again next month.