DOLGELLAU’S flood defence scheme was officially opened today by a senior Welsh Government minister.

Natural Resources minister Carl Sargeant visited Dolgellau today (Thursday) to declare the project, which has already been tested to capacity with horrendous weather this winter, open.

Mr Sargeant said: “I am pleased to officially open the Dolgellau Flood Risk Management Scheme, which is reducing the risk from flooding to over 300 properties in the town.

"We recently witnessed our wettest December on record, yet have not seen widespread flooding in Wales which might have been expected, thanks in large part to flood schemes like this one.

"I am particularly pleased to hear about the additional benefits a scheme like this brings in terms of biodiversity and in raising awareness within the community and local schools.”

Funded by the Welsh Government, the £4.9m scheme reduces the risk of flooding for 310 homes and businesses.

The scheme, developed and managed by Natural Resources Wales, involved building new defences and improving existing ones along the left bank of the river Wnion, from the Enterprise Park to Ysgol y Gader playing fields.

Similar improvements were carried out on the banks of the Afon Aran and a weir was removed downstream of Pont yr Aran.

The capacity of the floodplain was increased to create space for more water when needed.

Tim Jones, NRW director of operations, north and mid Wales, said: “We’re immensely grateful to local people for their co-operation as we’ve worked to build this long-term flood scheme for Dolgellau.

“While we can’t always prevent flooding from happening, we are confident that we have built a robust scheme for Dolgellau that significantly reduces the risk and provides effective, long-term, peace of mind for people in the town.”