Plans press on for Liswerry flood scheme

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is pressing ahead with plans for a new flood defence scheme along the River Usk at Liswerry, Newport, as it shares updated proposals and designs.

Hoping to submit a formal planning application for the scheme this summer, NRW has today (22 March) launched its second consultation with residents, businesses and interested stakeholders.

The proposals would reduce flood risk to over 2000 properties and involve bolstering parts of the existing 1350m flood bund along the eastern riverbank and constructing new flood walls.

A new flood gate is proposed at Corporation Road along with a new stretch of highway to improve access when the gate needs to close to reduce flood risk.

New drawings and visualisations released today pinpoint the exact locations of the proposed improvements, and how the scheme could look once constructed.

Details of the plans and the consultation can be found on NRW’s online consultation page, and will be open for responses until 21 April 2021.

Tim England, Operations Manager from Natural Resources Wales said:

“Within just the first few weeks of the New Year Storm Christoph brought yet more flooding and devastation to many communities in Wales. We are advised that with climate change these events are likely to become more frequent.  Our assessment of risk, supported by our flood modelling, places Liswerry at high risk for the future.

“During our consultation last September, we heard from many residents and businesses in the affected area and we’ve had some very valuable and constructive conversations that have helped to shape the plans we have put forward today.

“This is still early days in terms of the project, and my advice for anyone concerned about flooding right now is to visit our website to check their risk and to see if our flood warning service is available in their area. Information and advice is also available by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.”

The cost of the scheme is estimated at £10m, funded by Welsh Government.

In addition to improving flood protection for the community, the current proposals would also see improvements to community green spaces and the nearby section of the iconic Wales Coast Path.

This includes a new footpath within Coronation Park linking up with the Wales Coast Path to create a circular walking route with new viewing platforms across the River Usk.

Three new ‘urban forests’ consisting of 1,600 new, young trees are also planned within Coronation Park to mitigate for approximately 650 trees and shrubs that will need to be removed as part of the construction.

Elsewhere in Newport, 600 properties in the nearby community of Crindau are now better protected from the risk of flooding following the completion of a £14m flood scheme along a 2.6km stretch of the River Usk.