Flood alleviation projects in Gwynedd take a step forward

Cyngor Gwynedd has welcomed an announcement that the county will receive a £3.8 million share of the £77 million package announced by the Welsh Government for flood alleviations projects, which will help safeguard communities, homes and businesses from the continued threat of flooding. 

The communities set to benefit from this round of funding are:

• Bontnewydd – £2million has been awarded by the Government for the construction of flood defences on the Afon Beuno at Dol Beuno together with the upgrading of the existing flood defence wall on the Afon Gwyrfai adjacent to Glanrafon. Other measures will include improving the surface water drainage. Work is due to start in 2025 and will be completed in 2026.

• Caernarfon – Work is due to start on 1 April on a £693,000 project to upgrade the debris screen on the Afon Cadnant near Llanberis Road, Caernarfon. The screen will help keep the waterway clear by preventing debris such as tree branches and rubbish from entering a 1km long culvert which runs beneath the streets of Caernarfon, and therefore help reduce the risk of flooding risk during heavy rain.

• Mynydd Llandegai – £1.25million has been awarded for the construction of a flood alleviation scheme, to help reduce the risk of flooding to the village. Works will include improvements to surface water drainage, upgrading existing defective culverts and localised flood defences to divert flow routes away from properties This work is in addition to the Natural Flood Management interventions that have already been installed. 

Councillor June Jones, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Cyngor Gwynedd’s Highways, Engineering and Consultancy Department said:

“Unfortunately, flooding is becoming more and more common because of extreme weather due to climate change. Some of our towns and villages have suffered flooding in the past which caused significant damage and was heartbreaking for local people, and others are at risk of flooding.

“I am very pleased that the funding for this important work has been secured and I am grateful that we have been able to work with Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and local communities to reach this milestone.

“This grant will allow our engineers to push these projects forward, and I look forward to seeing the schemes materialise and help defend the people, homes and businesses of Gwynedd.”

Natural Resources Wales is working with Cyngor Gwynedd at Bontnewydd, with investigation works into the flood wall at the Glanrafon estate included in the project.

Sian Williams, NRW’s Head of North West Wales Operations, said: “We are pleased to be working with Cyngor Gwynedd on this Welsh Government-funded project.

“Our initial investigations into the flood wall showed that if water levels increase significantly, it could become less stable.

“The project team is currently looking at proposals and will develop potential design options in the coming months before sharing these with the public.

“Following this funding announcement, we hope to complete work on the wall in the summer of 2026 subject to partnership working continuing and achieving all the necessary consents and approvals.

“In the meantime, we are managing any potential flood risk and have instigated a monitoring and inspection regime and will continue to work with partners to ensure contingency plans are in place.”

Members of the public can find out more about their flood risk and sign up for Natural Resources Wales’ flood warning service online: Natural Resources Wales / Check your flood risk by postcode