The Council’s new Flood Risk Management website is now live
Recent heavy rainfall and persistent wet weather have heightened concerns about flooding among residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Many households, even those affected by flooding just once, are required to declare this risk on their house insurance policies. This situation underscores years of neglect in maintaining crucial flood prevention infrastructure by the council.
The failure to update watercourses, culverts, and install adequate trash screens has left communities vulnerable to flooding, with devastating consequences for residents. Following the significant flooding caused by Storm Dennis, the Welsh Labour Government and local council have initiated efforts to invest in flood prevention measures. However, many argue that these actions come too late, as the council had long been aware of areas prone to flooding.
The lack of foresight and investment in flood prevention by the RCTC (Rhondda Cynon Taf Council) has resulted in residents facing higher insurance premiums due to increased flood risk. Questions arise about whether the council prioritized vanity projects over essential maintenance, contributing to the current state of neglect in flood prevention infrastructure.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of flooding and the financial burden placed on residents. The council must keep allocating resources towards comprehensive flood prevention measures cleaning out watercourses and trash grids, prioritizing the safety and well-being of residents above all else.
Furthermore, the Council has launched a new Flood Risk Management website to help raise awareness and improve communication of flood risk with residents, business owners, and developers in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The updated online platform aims to provide a range of relevant information, resources, best practices, and support, enhancing understanding of flood risk in Rhondda Cynon Taf communities and building resilience to the impacts of flooding.
The website was launched on Monday, March 18, and is now available for residents to view on the Council’s website.
Moving forward, stakeholders must work collaboratively to implement long-term solutions that mitigate the risk of flooding and protect vulnerable communities in RCT. By investing in more essential infrastructure and proactive maintenance strategies, we can build resilience and safeguard homes and livelihoods against future flooding events.
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The Council has launched a new Flood Risk Management website to help raise awareness and improve the communication of flood risk with residents, business owners and developers in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The updated online platform aims to provide a range of relevant information, resources, best practice and support – and a greater understanding of the flood risk in Rhondda Cynon Taf communities, to build resilience to the impacts of flooding.
The website has launched on Monday, March 18, and is now available for residents to view on the Council’s website, using the following link.
Redeveloped with user experience in mind, the new Flood Risk Management website offers an accessible and user-friendly interface, ensuring flood-related information is both informative and easy to understand.
To help raise awareness of flooding and its impacts, a ‘Know Your Flood Risk’ page is provided, to give information on the different types of flooding and useful resources to help residents understand the risk in their area.
There is also a dedicated ‘Flood Awareness and Preparedness’ section of the website, where residents can find information about protecting their properties using flood resistant and resilient techniques. This section also provides advice on flood insurance, and the steps that residents can take to protect themselves and their properties before, during and after a flood event.
Resources such as personal flood plan templates, and information on how to sign up for weather warnings and flood alerts, are also provided by the site. Links to relevant charities and flood risk specialists, including the National Flood Forum and Blue Pages, are provided – to support users in making informed decisions, including taking proactive measures to safeguard their properties and building resilience against the future impacts of flooding.
The site also aims to improve understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Risk Management Authorities – in a dedicated section titled ‘What is Flood Risk Management?’. This includes managing different types of flood risk, the riparian rights and responsibilities of landowners, and the permissive powers available to the Council to help manage land drainage, regulate the proper function of ordinary watercourses, and mitigate the effects of flooding.
Detailed guidance about the Sustainable Drainage Approval Body, and how to apply for Ordinary Watercourse Consent, is also provided – to ensure all information related to flooding and drainage is held on one central platform.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said:
“As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of flood events, the Council is committed to proactive flood risk management and enhancing community resilience. The new website launching today is a key resource to provide advice to residents about many aspects of flood risk – from being prepared ahead of a storm event, to what to do if affected by flooding.
“The new website intends to improve the communication of risk, which is not only identified as an objective of the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales, but has also been embedded in the Council’s local strategy. I’m pleased that the website is now live, and would encourage residents to take a look at the content, to become more informed and aware of flood risk and ensure they are resilient to the impact of flooding.”
