Town floods probe starts

Flood defence engineers have launched an investigation into how a Powys town can be protected from future flooding.

Experts from Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water have started exploratory work in Builth Wells as part of its planning to alleviate the risk of flooding in the town. The firm will be carrying out ground investigations over the next few weeks.

They have assured residents the work will be completed in time for the Royal Welsh Show, being held on July 21 to 24.

Work has already begun along the embankment of the Groe and further work will start on Monday.

A spokesman for Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water said: "It will involve trial holes being dug in the highways and will take approximately six weeks to complete."

The spokesman said they had been working closely with Powys County Council Highways Authority to ensure that the work was carried out safely and quickly.

"Investigation work is necessary to understand the ground conditions in the area for the proposed route of the new waste water pipes and associated apparatus required to deal with present flooding issues and allow for future growth in the town," he added.

The spokesman said the River Wye, which runs through Builth Wells, had been placed on various flood warnings and flood watches by the Environmental Agency over the last few years.

Andrew Bowen, Welsh Water's regional investment manager, said: "Our aim is to ensure we produce the optimum design by planning a programme of work which will provide the best solution with the minimum disruption for the town and the community.

"We have liaised with the local authority over this investigative work, which we have programmed to be completed before the start of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.

"We would like to assure residents that disruption will be kept to a minimum at all times and that the land will be reinstated following completion of our investigations. We will continue to keep the community informed of our progress."

He said traffic management would be in operation for the duration of the work and Strand Street would be temporarily closed between July 3-17.

By Anwen Evans