ENVIRONMENT experts responsible for planning Dolgellau’s new flood defences have claimed the construction has been a great success.

Thousands of homes and businesses have been protected from flooding in recent weeks as investment in flood defences shows to be paying off, according to Natural Resources Wales.

Another weekend of heavy rain recently put the defences to the test, not least in Dolgellau.

There, a recently completed scheme worth £5.6million, protected up to 300 homes and businesses from flooding for the first time.

Dolgellau has a history of flooding problems, most recently in 2009 where the wall at Bont Fawr was overtopped.

NRW has built new defences and improved existing ones along the left bank of the river Wnion, from the Enterprise Park to Ysgol y Gader playing fields.

Similar improvements have also been carried on the banks of the Afon Aran and a weir was also removed downstream of Pont yr Aran.

On Saturday (12 December) NRW staff reported that the Afon Wnion, reached very high levels.

Once the flood warning was issued they closed the new flood gates and installed stop logs (equipment which is placed in gaps of the flood defence scheme’s walls).

Without the scheme, NRW suggests flood waters would have been flowing into the town for a number of hours, and many properties in the Meirionnydd town would have flooded.

Jeremy Parr, head of flood and operational risk management, said: “Over recent weeks, our staff have been working around the clock, monitoring river conditions and issuing warnings where needed and installing temporary defences in various places.

“Alongside this, we are also working closely with communities to build their resilience and have a plan in place so they know what to do if the worst was to happen.”

The scheme in Dolgellau will be officially opened in the New Year by Natural Resources Minister, Carl Sargeant.

NRW encourages property owners and businesses in these areas to register to receive its free flood warning service by phoning 0300 065 3738.