**Over £120,000 Committed to Tackle Persistent Flooding in Bridgend Following Devastating Storms**
Bridgend County Borough Council has announced a significant funding package in excess of £120,000 to combat recurring flooding issues after a severe storm last autumn left dozens of homes damaged. The pledge comes after a formal investigation, known as a Section 19 report, was presented to councillors last month, examining the widespread impact of heavy rainfall that lashed the region in September 2024.
The storm, which struck on the evening of September 6th, resulted in the inundation of 34 properties across areas including Caer Castell in Brackla, Hafan-Y-Bryn in Bryntirion, and parts of Greenfields Avenue, Park Court Road, and Oaklands Close. Ground-floor dwellings at a block of flats in Brackla were among the worst affected, reportedly suffering catastrophic water damage.
Meteorological data from Natural Resources Wales revealed that around 50mm of rain fell within a four-hour window during that evening – a figure described in the report as amongst “the most intense seen in recent years” for the region. The pattern of rainfall was highly localised, with Bridgend bearing the brunt while surrounding areas experienced less severe conditions.
Initial research by the council identified that this bout of flooding was primarily caused by ‘hydraulic overload’ — an overwhelming volume of water exceeding the capacity of local watercourses and drainage infrastructure during the storm. Despite the affected sites not being directly connected, the council stressed the need for tailored action plans in each location to help prevent future incidents.
In response, Bridgend Council has directed £20,000 to construct a flood bund — an embankment designed to divert water — near Caer Castell House, which has suffered two major flood events in the past year alone. Residents there have voiced their devastation after consecutive losses, driving calls for urgency and transparency in tackling such threats.
Alongside this immediate intervention, a further sum exceeding £100,000 has been ringfenced for the detailed study and design of new flood defences focused on the Nant Cefn Glas area. The proposed measures are set to benefit wider parts of Bryntirion and Bridgend, where ongoing concerns over flood resilience have persisted.
Speaking during the council’s discussion, Councillor Eugene Caparros praised the comprehensive findings. “I think this report shows our readiness to learn and adapt and to protect our communities from future storms,” he said. “Flood resilience starts with transparency, and this report is the start of delivering that clarity that residents have rightly been demanding.”
Council leader John Spanswick added a note of urgency, contending that “it cannot be right” for residents to endure flooding on multiple occasions. He suggested that areas repeatedly hit by such events would now be moved up the authority’s risk register, signalling a commitment to prioritise these at-risk neighbourhoods in future planning.
The storm in question is not the only recent event to put the council on alert. Officials confirmed that another investigation is underway following fresh flooding in June 2025, which affected many of the same communities in Brackla and Bryntirion, as well as extending to Aberkenfig, Nantyfyllon, and Maesteg.
As extreme weather events become more frequent across Wales and the UK, local authorities are under growing pressure to invest in resilient, long-term infrastructure. The newly announced funding for Bridgend can be seen as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the impact of climate-related hazards and to offer peace of mind to those living in the most vulnerable areas.
Community leaders have welcomed the intervention but acknowledged that comprehensive action will be needed. The phased approach, involving both rapid construction projects and in-depth study, is expected to lay the groundwork for improved defences and, importantly, restore confidence among residents who have faced repeated devastation from flooding.
The council will continue to update residents as schemes progress, with input from local stakeholders and national agencies expected to play a central role in shaping future flood resilience strategies across Bridgend.