A SCHEME to protect homes and businesses from the threat of flooding has been given the go-ahead.
The £5 million flood risk management scheme for Denbigh has been given the green light thanks to funding from the European Union and Welsh Assembly Government.
A tributary of the River Clwyd, Henllan Brook, runs west to east through some extremely old culverts underneath many of Denbigh’s streets which have limited capacity to cope with flooding.
The proposed scheme will be designed to prevent the flooding of such properties and will take account of climate change.
As well as constructing improvements to drainage systems, the scheme will develop a flood risk management plan for Denbigh to improve flood awareness and resilience and co-ordinate the emergency response of the local authority, emergency services and public at risk.
The work will be carried out in phases beginning on the downstream section of Henllan Brook, from the A525 to Cysgodfa then work upstream towards Tan y Scubor passing through Lenten Pool.
Local schools have been invited to take part in projects relating to the scheme and in line with the curriculum, the local community will be involved in awareness raising and engineering resilience initiatives as the scheme progresses.
AM Ann Jones said: “I am delighted to see Denbigh benefit from this major European investment allocated by the Labour-led Assembly.
“The weather conditions we are currently battling with will, I’m sure, remind us all of the damage that flooding can cause.
“I hope this scheme will help protect lots of properties in Denbigh and help to ease the concerns of local residents.”
Welsh Assembly Government environment minister Jane Davidson said: “If we are to adapt successfully to climate change, then the way we manage our shores and rivers will be critical.
“This project will do just that and will help protect the local area, homes, businesses and jobs.
“This is one of a number of significant Assembly Government funded flood risk projects to be funded with European Convergence money.”
Councillor Eryl Williams, cabinet lead member for environment, said: “We would like to advise the people of Denbigh that this is a major but necessary scheme.
“There will be disruptions for road users at various points throughout the scheme, particularly when the work is done in the Lenten Pool area of the town but I think most will agree it is much needed to protect the homes and businesses from the threat of flooding in the future.”