Living by The River Community Event
In February 2025, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Storm Dennis, I organised an event in Pontypridd, “Living by the River - From Dennis to Bert".
The purpose was to allow local residents who had been flooded to meet with representatives from the key flood risk agencies to discuss developments since Storm Dennis in 2020 and what still needs to be done. Many people suffered the same level of flooding again during Storm Bert in November 2024, raising concerns among residents and business owners about the increasing risks of flooding, and the lack of effective flood prevention for their communities.
The focus of the event was to explore the best solutions for improving flood management and coexisting with our rivers in a time of climate change. Most importantly, we listened to residents, business owners and communities who live with the ongoing risk of flooding and it was opportunity for them to hear directly from those responsible for flood response.
Speakers at the event included Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and senior representatives from Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales. Presentations were also be given by the British Red Cross and the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales, both of which are working to better support at-risk communities.
Programme and Presentations
The full programme for the event can be found here
You can also see the presentations that were given during the event in the links below:
Cllr Andrew Morgan - Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (link)
- The responsibilities of the Local Authority as Lead Flood Authority
- Storm Ciara/Dennis review and recovery actions (brief)
- The ‘why’ of Nov ’24 floods (as far as we know them)
- Continuing challenges of flooding for Pontypridd and the surrounding area - What is the long-term vision?
- What practical support do the LA offer residents?
- Storm Ciara/Dennis review & recovery actions (Brief)
- The ‘why’ of the Nov ’24 floods after Storm Bert (as far as we know them by then)
- Continuing challenges - The Taff / Rhondda Catchment Masterplan & long-term vision
- What support is out there today for flood alleviation measures and support
Steve Wilson Managing Director, Dwr Cymru (Link)
- Impact of Storm Dennis and Storm Bert
- Long Term Vision for Pontypridd and Surrounding areas
Martin Jones, Emergency Response Officer for SE Wales, Red Cross (link)
- Why the Red Cross have established themselves in RCT
- How you have been supporting flooded areas in the past year or two
- The impact of flooding on the people you support
- Observations about what you think would help people and what should our long-term vision be for communities that suffer flooding
Future Proofing
Following the event, Natural Resources Wales and RCT Council responded to specific questions and requests from the event by community members and have committed to the following actions:
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
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Complete updated flood risk modelling for Pontypridd, incorporating new survey data, hydrology and evidence from recent flood events, to improve understanding of flood mechanisms on the Rivers Taff and Rhondda.
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Use the updated flood model to carry out Initial Assessments of flood risk management options for communities including Sion Street, Mill Street and wider Pontypridd, in line with Welsh Government appraisal guidance.
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Consider all viable flood risk management options (including walls, storage, natural flood management and other interventions) through the formal appraisal process, progressing only those where benefits outweigh costs.
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Develop a long-term Strategic Flood Risk Management Plan for the Taff Catchment, working with partner organisations to manage flooding impacts on people, property, infrastructure and the environment, and to identify where action is needed and who is best placed to deliver it.
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Review and update flood warning thresholds, with changes already made following Storm Bert to reflect the exceptionally rapid rate of river level rise experienced.
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Continue routine inspection, maintenance and post-event repair of existing flood defence assets at Sion Street, including flood walls and gates.
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Undertake a topographical survey at Clydach Terrace to assess shoaling and confirm whether further de-shoaling is required, and share findings with residents.
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Work with Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC to explore a joint solution to improve local access to river level information at Sion Street, despite no current plan to reinstate the original gauging station.
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Upgrade monitoring infrastructure to retrieve telemetry data more frequently (up to 5 minutes), while maintaining standard 15‑minute logging and automatic alerts when critical levels are crossed.
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Develop business cases and option appraisals for areas identified as needing flood risk management, regardless of their position on the Communities at Risk Register.
Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
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Expressed continued and active support for flood protection measures (such as flood walls and watertight gates for properties on Berw Road), recognising their use elsewhere and effectiveness.
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The council committed to continue lobbying NRW for delivery of river flood protection schemes where responsibility sits with NRW and are seeking clarity on where hard-engineered flood construction can and cannot be delivered now that flood modelling across Rhondda Cynon Taf is complete and continue to press them for delivery of river flood protection schemes where they have responsibility
Whilst we welcome these responses and commitments, communities continue to live under constant threat of flooding and more needs to be done, and much more quickly, to support communities who now live in fear every time it rains heavily.
I will continue to campaign for sustainable and lasting solutions to flooding.