Residents of Clydach Terrace in Ynysybwl are facing a tough decision as talks begin about possibly leaving their homes due to continuous flood risks. The local council has greenlit negotiations to purchase houses at risk, meaning families might have to move from this Welsh street, plagued by floods during storms like Dennis in 2020 and Bert in 2024. Despite exploring options, constructing a flood defence wall was deemed too costly and not feasible, as it would require towering between 3.5m to 4.5m above road level with a price tag much higher than the economic benefits. This leaves affected residents in a tough spot with no viable flood protection plans on the horizon. As the council’s appointed valuer meets residents to discuss home values and compensation, the fate of Clydach Terrace hangs in balance. Future steps depend on these negotiations and reports will be reviewed by the cabinet upon conclusion. It’s a challenging time for the inhabitants, who live with the constant anxiety of river flooding, knowing that past solutions haven’t been financially supported either by UK or Welsh Government funding. What would you do in their shoes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! #FloodRisk #ClydachTerrace #CommunityChallenges
