Flooding on Rhigos Road - AberdareOnline

The Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Highway Authority is primarily responsible for addressing the Rhigos Road flooded public road. Local council Highway Authorities have a statutory duty under the Highways Act 1980 to maintain public highways, including their drainage systems. This responsibility extends to repairing and maintaining drainage systems beneath the highway surface, clearing blockages, and dealing with the consequences of inadequate drainage.

The flooding on Rhigos Road has been ongoing for years but the council appears to be dragging its feet on this as officers are only now currently investigating the cause of this recent flooding to the highway and, notably, its complex interaction with private land drainage on either side, so where and what have the council been doing previously when this road has been flooded.

Rhondda Cynon Taf C.B.C Flood Risk Management Plan 2015: Where flood risk is present within residential areas, the flow path generally does follow the roads with significant risk along sections of Rhigos Road, flooding on this section of highway has been recorded for at least 9 years so why has the council done nothing to stop it.

Flood and Water Management Act 2010 Section 19 Flood Investigation Report January 2022

Surface water flooding to the highway occurs frequently within the investigation area and surrounding areas during downpours, particularly along the A4061 Rhigos Road and the A465. These are often attributed to highway drainage infrastructure becoming hydraulically overwhelmed. Residents also stated that they have observed an increase in overland flows originating from the hillside above Hirwaun over the last few years.

Notably, surface water and ordinary watercourse flooding originating from the Tower Colliery site has been a long-standing issue at Hirwaun. In 2022 the council Upgraded culverts on A4061 Rhigos Road so the recent flood water must be coming from adjoining land, If the flooding is caused by water running from private land onto the road, the private landowners may have some responsibility.

Property owners have a common law duty to use their land in a way that does not increase the risk of flooding on neighbouring property, including public roads. If the flooding is severe and poses a nuisance, has the council got a flood action plan in place?

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