NATURAL Resources Wales has revealed how they plan to tackle flood issues which have once again arisen in a Flintshire village.

Heavy rainfall on Wednesday (October 16) led to several parts of both Flintshire and Wrexham suffering from flooding.

Roads were closed and homes were flood and/or evacuated as a result of the downpour.

One of the worst affected areas was Sandycroft, which has fallen victim to flooding several times down the years.

Homes there have been 'left under water' with residents even saying they are prepared to move out of the area to avoid another disaster.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has now attempted to ally residents' fears by revealing how they will deal with the situation.

An NRW spokesperson said: "The impact of flooding is devastating to homeowners, landowners, and communities, and our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the recent heavy rainfall.

"This week, work began to improve the performance of the main river networks in Sandycroft and Pentre. This work forms part of a broader partnership with colleagues from Flintshire County Council and is part of a long-term project to improve flood risk management in Sandycroft and Pentre. It follows on from our annual routine maintenance on the open stretches of watercourse that has been completed."

RELATED READING:

The spokesperson added: “The first phase of the work focuses on improving flow within these systems by clearing blockages, accumulations of sediment, and other non-structural barriers to flow.

“For Sandycroft Drain, this will involve clearing debris, sediment build-up, and vegetation from approximately 400 meters of the open channel. For Pentre Drain North, a piped watercourse that runs adjacent to the north side of Chester Road, the work will involve using specialist vacuum tankers and associated machinery.

"The first phase of the work is expected to be completed by the end of January 2025.

“Residents and businesses directly impacted by the works have already been contacted by the project team. Alongside our contractors we will continue to engage with these landowners on an individual basis to plan the works and ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”

Flintshire Council has said that its teams will 'continue to focus on clean-up, clearing debris off carriageways and clearing watercourses and culverts where feasible' in the area.

The Sandycroft and Pentre areas have been beset by flooding issues in recent years - with properties left submerged on multiple occasions. 

That led to residents holding an emotive public meeting with representatives from Flintshire Council and local politicians last year. 

Floods sweep through Sandycroft.Floods sweep through Sandycroft. (Image: Nichole Ing)

But, many are still concerned that not enough is being done in order to prevent the same flood damage happening again.

Raising his concerns with the Leader, Cllr Ant Turton, who represents the nearby Hawarden and Mancot ward, said: "It is once again disappointing to see residents in and around our community under threat of flooding. They, and I are getting increasingly frustrated with what appears to have been little or no action taken to look at solving the problem we face year on year.

"What I want to see from the agencies responsible is a more proactive approach to the problem, we need our drains, brooks, ditches and manholes cleared routinely to minimise blockages and maximise performance.

"There are a group of volunteers trying to log the ones in need of maintenance, even clearing what they can themselves. It's a big problem we have faced for many years and, sadly, I'm sure we will still face in the future.

"I urge our local MPs, Senedd member and authorities to come down to the affected areas during the height of the problem to see for themselves the utter devastation this is causing. My heart goes out to the people affected by these common events."