Welsh authorities were slammed for ignoring residents after sinkholes opened up in a Powys town after flash floods.
Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds hosted a public meeting with Llanwrtyd Wells locals at the Neuadd Arms Hotel where recent rain caused huge damage to properties – including sinkholes at least six feet deep.
The Welsh Government were criticised for failing to protect residents from flooding following the meeting on Saturday (January 11).
READ MORE: Calls for urgent work to fix flooding in Powys town after sinkholes appear
Locals have faced years of collapsing and blocked drains with residents such as Alison Bamford repeatedly raising serious concerns about the increasing ferocity of flooding at her property.
At the meeting, several residents expressed concern over the poor response from public bodies such as Natural Resources Wales to the flooding in the town.
The Welsh Government was also criticised for failing to complete flood defence work before the flooding took place.
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Jane Dodds MS vowed to hold the Welsh Government to account for their failings and said that it was “important that we ensure that this failure does not happen again.”
“As the climate crisis worsens and we begin to see extreme weather cases like this more often, it has become increasingly more important to ensure that public bodies responsible for protecting our communities are doing their jobs properly,” said Ms Dodds.
“Unfortunately, in Llanwrtyd Wells, we saw the opposite of this.
“Residents were let down by the inaction of the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, this cannot be allowed to happen again.
“I know that the recent flooding has badly affected many people in and around Llanwrtyd Wells, which is why residents need full support in helping them to recover.
“I will continue to lobby the Welsh Government to ensure that both residents of this town, and across Mid Wales, are not ignored when it comes to protecting them from flooding and other cases of extreme weather.”
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Llanwrtyd Wells town Cllr Martin Pigott said the recent damage was the result of residents being ignored by authorities.
“The people of Llanwrtyd Wells have endured anxiety about flooding issues for years, and now it's happened,” said Cllr Piggot.
“One week ago flood water washed through people's gardens, homes and businesses.
“We need urgent action from the Welsh Government and Powys Council working together to clear up the damage to people's properties and offer a long-term solution.”
In response to a enquiry from the County Times last week, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are investigating the cause of the opened-up carriageway on the A483 and will carry out the necessary repairs at the earliest opportunity.
“We have undertaken the necessary drainage and land surveys and intend to meet with the owners of Trawscoed Fach this month to discuss options to resolve the issues raised.”
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