Natural Resources Wales have rejected building a taller flood wall, or buying out the most at risk houses of flooding in Ynysybwl, due to it not being deemed as economically viable.
Ynysybwl and other parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf, were heavily impacted by Storm Dennis which flooded homes, shops, other businesses, and even transport links. With the frequency of large storms like this increasing it is worrying that Natural Resources Wales are not taking preventative action to address the risk of flood for these communities.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, and the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change has expressed serious concerns about this decision.
Commenting on NRW’s decision, Janet said:
“The decision not to take preventative action due to costs is very concerning, and omits the fact that families and peoples livelihoods are continuing to be put at risk.
“The residents of Ynysybwl have stated themselves that due to the lack of action and the risk of flooding they are worried for the safety of their families. This is unacceptable and is a significant failing of Natural Resources Wales, Local Authority and the Welsh Government.
“Houses across the whole of Wales are facing an increased flood risk due to a lack of action by NRW, such as homes in the Conwy Valley who are not at an increased risk die to NRW walking away from maintaining a flood embankment. This cannot be ignored.
“Immediate preventative action needs to be taken, to support and mitigate the risk of flooding across of Wales. NRW have left 16 houses unprotected with this decision. This failure needs to be addressed and NRW, the Local Authority, and the Welsh Government all need to be held to account on flood prevention decisions.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi gwrthod adeiladu wal lifogydd uchel, neu brynu'r tai sydd yn y perygl mwyaf o lifogydd yn Ynys-y-bwl, oherwydd nad yw'n cael ei ystyried yn economaidd hyfyw.
Cafodd Ynys-y-bwl a rhannau eraill o Rondda Cynon Taf eu heffeithio'n drwm gan Storm Dennis a orlifodd gartrefi, siopau, busnesau eraill, a hyd yn oed gysylltiadau trafnidiaeth. Gydag amlder stormydd mawr fel hyn ar gynnydd, mae'n achos pryder nad yw Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn cymryd camau ataliol i fynd i'r afael â'r perygl o lifogydd i'r cymunedau hyn.
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, a Gweinidog yr Wrthblaid dros Newid Hinsawdd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig wedi mynegi pryderon difrifol am y penderfyniad hwn.
Wrth sôn am benderfyniad CNC, dywedodd Janet:
"Mae'r penderfyniad i beidio â chymryd camau ataliol oherwydd costau yn boen meddwl go iawn, ac yn anwybyddu’r ffaith fod bywoliaethau teuluoedd a phobl yn parhau i gael eu rhoi mewn perygl.
"Mae trigolion Ynys-y-bwl wedi datgan eu hunain eu bod yn poeni am ddiogelwch eu teuluoedd oherwydd y diffyg gweithredu a'r risg o lifogydd. Mae hyn yn annerbyniol ac yn fethiant sylweddol gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, yr Awdurdod Lleol a Llywodraeth Cymru.
"Mae tai ledled Cymru gyfan yn wynebu mwy o berygl o lifogydd oherwydd diffyg gweithredu gan CNC. Mae yna gartrefi yn Nyffryn Conwy, er enghraifft, sydd mewn mwy o berygl nawr am fod CNC wedi troi eu cefn ar gynnal arglawdd llifogydd. Ni ellir anwybyddu hyn.
"Mae angen cymryd camau ataliol ar unwaith, i gefnogi a lliniaru'r risg o lifogydd ledled Cymru. Mae CNC wedi gadael 16 o dai heb eu diogelu yn sgil y penderfyniad hwn. Mae angen mynd i'r afael â'r methiant hwn ac mae angen dwyn CNC, yr Awdurdod Lleol, a Llywodraeth Cymru i gyd i gyfrif ynghylch penderfyniadau atal llifogydd."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
