South Wales Residents Still Displaced Months After Severe Flooding
BRIDGEND, Wales — Six months after severe flash floods devastated areas of South Wales, residents of Ty Caer Castell in Bridgend remain unable to return to thier homes, with expectations of continued displacement for several more months.
Flash Floods Cause Devastation and Prolonged Displacement
The flash floods, which struck in September of last year, impacted numerous properties, requiring the rescue of at least one person. Ground-floor residents of the affected block of flats report losing all their possessions.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Lack of Progress and Accountability
Residents express frustration with the slow pace of recovery and what they perceive as a lack of accountability.One resident noted the waterway and culvert responsible for the flooding fall under the jurisdiction of the council and Network Rail, but feels the council isn’t “taking responsibility.”
Adding to their financial burden, residents say they continue to pay service charges on properties they cannot inhabit.
Infrastructure Failure Blamed for Repeated Flooding
Residents attribute the disaster to infrastructure inadequacies, claiming it was not a “natural disaster” but a “failure of infrastructure, planning, and maintenance.” They report that the ground floor flats also flooded in 2012, after which Network Rail accepted responsibility for a blocked culvert. However residents say they did not receive any compensation and many were left unable to insure their contents after that.
specifically, they point to an undersized culvert running under the railway line as a key factor, suggesting the addition of another culvert to alleviate the problem. “Nothing has been fixed, so it’s not as if the property will flood again, but when it’ll flood again,” one resident stated.
Council and Network Rail Respond
Bridgend council acknowledges the severity of the rainfall on Sept. 6, 2024, reporting up to 50mm (nearly 2 inches) of rain within four hours, overwhelming the local watercourse. The council has applied for Welsh government grant funding to improve the watercourse and mitigate future flood risks.
Network Rail stated it’s “aware of the ongoing situation” and understands “the frustrations of residents in that area”. While responsible for the culvert within the railway boundary, Network Rail maintains that concerns upstream fall outside its jurisdiction. They added that routine inspections have not revealed any issues with the culvert’s capabilities.
Management Company Addresses the Situation
Lambert Smith Hampton Residential Limited, the managing agents for the complex, assert their limited control over the situation, stating the flooding was caused by issues on Bridgend council’s land. They added that the insurance company and their loss adjuster are overseeing the works needed to bring the properties back to a habitable standard and any complaints about delays should be addressed to the insurer.
What specific infrastructure improvements are being proposed to prevent future flooding at Ty Caer Castell?
South Wales Residents Still Displaced Months After Severe Flooding
BRIDGEND, Wales — Six months after severe flash floods devastated areas of South Wales, residents of Ty Caer Castell in Bridgend remain unable to return to their homes, with expectations of continued displacement for several more months.
Flash Floods Cause Devastation adn Prolonged Displacement
The flash floods, which struck in September of last year, impacted numerous properties, requiring the rescue of at least one person. Ground-floor residents of the affected block of flats report losing all their possessions.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Lack of Progress and Accountability
residents express frustration with the slow pace of recovery and what they perceive as a lack of accountability. One resident noted the waterway and culvert responsible for the flooding fall under the jurisdiction of the council and Network Rail,but feels the council isn’t “taking responsibility.”
Adding to their financial burden, residents say they continue to pay service charges on properties they cannot inhabit.
Infrastructure Failure Blamed for Repeated Flooding
Residents attribute the disaster to infrastructure inadequacies, claiming it was not a ”natural disaster” but a “failure of infrastructure, planning, and maintainance.” They report that the ground floor flats also flooded in 2012, after which Network Rail accepted responsibility for a blocked culvert. Though residents say they did not receive any compensation and manny were left unable to insure their contents after that.
Specifically, they point to an undersized culvert running under the railway line as a key factor, suggesting the addition of another culvert to alleviate the problem. “Nothing has been fixed, so it’s not as if the property will flood again, but when it’ll flood again,” one resident stated.
Council and Network Rail Respond
Bridgend council acknowledges the severity of the rainfall on Sept. 6,2024,reporting up to 50mm (nearly 2 inches) of rain within four hours,overwhelming the local watercourse. the council has applied for Welsh government grant funding to improve the watercourse and mitigate future flood risks.
Network Rail stated it’s “aware of the ongoing situation” and understands “the frustrations of residents in that area”. While responsible for the culvert within the railway boundary, Network Rail maintains that concerns upstream fall outside its jurisdiction. They added that routine inspections have not revealed any issues with the culvert’s capabilities.
Management Company Addresses the Situation
Lambert Smith Hampton Residential Limited, the managing agents for the complex, assert their limited control over the situation, stating the flooding was caused by issues on Bridgend council’s land. They added that the insurance company and their loss adjuster are overseeing the works needed to bring the properties back to a habitable standard and any complaints about delays should be addressed to the insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When did the floods occur?
- A: The flash floods happened in september of the previous year – likely September 2023, given the article’s publication date.
- Q: Where exactly did the flooding take place?
- A: The affected area is Ty Caer Castell in Bridgend, South Wales.
- Q: How much rain caused the flooding?
- A: The Bridgend council reported up to 50mm (nearly 2 inches) of rain fell within four hours, overwhelming the local watercourse.
- Q: Who is responsible for the culvert?
- A: Network Rail is responsible for the culvert running under the railway line, but they state concerns upstream fall outside their jurisdiction.
- Q: What is the main cause of the flooding, according to residents?
- A: Residents blame the flooding on infrastructure inadequacies, particularly an undersized culvert. They also point to a failure in planning and maintenance.
- Q: What actions are being taken to address the problem?
- A: Bridgend Council has applied for Welsh government grant funding to improve the watercourse. The management company, Lambert Smith Hampton Residential Limited, states that the insurance company is overseeing the works needed to bring the properties back to a habitable standard.
- Q: What should residents do if they have complaints about delays?
- A: Residents should address any complaints about delays to the insurer.
- Q: is this the first time this area has flooded?
- A: No, the ground floor flats also flooded in 2012, after which Network Rail accepted responsibility for a blocked culvert.
- Q: What can residents do to protect themselves from future floods?
- A: while residents are displaced, ensure your insurance covers alternative accommodation.Once they are allowed to move back in, consider flood-proofing measures such as installing flood barriers, and reviewing your insurance policy to check it covers flood damage. Also, stay informed about local flood alerts and warnings.
The ongoing displacement and frustration of Ty Caer Castell residents highlight the critical need for infrastructure improvements and accountability. Let’s hope the responsible parties take the necessary steps to prevent future flooding and support the residents in rebuilding their lives.
