TORRENTIAL rain and flooding brought mayhem to parts of Penarth and Dinas Powys on the weekend.

Residents of Sullivan Close in Penarth, and of St Cadoc’s Avenue in Dinas Powys, feared rising flood water would inundate homes.

On Cardiff Road in Dinas Powys, the heavy rainfall caused a landslide near the junction with the Cross Common Road bridge.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed while repairs are being carried out and motorists are likely to experience delays in both directions for several weeks.

There was also flooding further along Cardiff Road, at the junction with St David’s Avenue, where fire crews were called to pump water back into a nearby brook that had burst its banks.

In Penarth, a football festival at Cogan playing fields had to be postponed after the pitches were submerged.

The two-day tournament, organised by Cogan Coronation AFC, was due to be contested by more than 70 teams from the Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Cardiff.

Players arrived on Saturday morning but games were abandoned after a lake formed on the main pitch.

Tournament organiser Gareth Evans said: “The lads needed flippers and goggles more than football boots.

“We hope to replay the tournament on June 27 and 28.”

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they received around 450 calls for help over the weekend.

Residents living in Sullivan Close and Coates Road in Penarth had a lucky escape when rising water flooded the streets.

Many feared a repeat of the flooding which happened in September 2007, and locals have reiterated their calls for action, to prevent damage to their homes.

Jack Ford, of Sullivan Close, said: “Ten years after the Vale of Glamorgan Council first sought a solution to the problem of flooding, none has been forthcoming.  “Only the Fire Service has been of help.”

Homes in St Cadoc’s Avenue, Dinas Powys were also affected by the heavy downpour as water flowed into gardens.

Martin Hill, whose home was flooded last September, said: “Nothing has been done to stop the flooding.

“Although water didn’t enter our property this time, it came very close.

“We’re hoping that won’t happen again because soon we won’t have anyone willing to insure us.”

The Vale of Glamorgan Council recently announced plans to move the nearby Cross Common Road bridge, after it was said to represent a significant flooding hazard at times of heavy rainfall.

Miles Punter, head of visible services at the Vale Council, said: "The flooding recently experienced at Dinas Powys was a consequence of heavy rainfall over a short period.

"The area of Dinas Powys worst affected is an area identified by the Environment Agency as being at risk.

"The current propping arrangement under Cross Common bridge, in place to ensure the safety of highway users, has very limited impact on the movement of water under the bridge, which in itself poses some restrictions to water movement.

"Members of the Council will this year be asked to consider funding an alternative highway arrangement to that currently in place which will permit the removal of Cross Common bridge," he added.

"This work is required primarily to address weaknesses with the bridge, and whilst it will slightly increase flows of water at the location of the current bridge, it will not resolve all the problems that are being experienced in this known flooding area."

Cllr Chris Williams, of the Dinas Powys Ward, said: “The Vale Council has been talking about repairing the Cross Common Road bridge for years.

“It’s now time for action.

“Every time it rains the residents of St Cadoc’s Avenue don’t get any sleep.

“They’re worried that by the morning, their homes will be under water.”

* PENARTH AM Lorraine Barrett held a public meeting in Penarth on Saturday to discuss the impact of flooding - the same day that torrential rain was pounding the region.

The Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth held an open forum at the Penarth Youth Information Shop on Stanwell Road as part of the Assembly’s Sustainability Committee inquiry into flooding and the impact it has across Wales.

An important part of the inquiry is a Wales-wide survey to collate the views of people who have been affected.

Mrs Barrett, who is a member of the committee, wanted to hear from those who have experienced flooding in Penarth, Llandough and Sully.

She said: “It was ironic that we had one of the worst downpours on Saturday when I held an open session at the Penarth Youth Information shop asking residents to tell me of any floods they had experienced.

“Whilst a lot of people just wanted to get their shopping done before drying off at home, we did get some valuable contributions during the drop-in session and all the comments will be fed into the inquiry that is being held by the Assembly's Sustainability Committee.

“I would like to thank those who braved the weather in order to voice their opinions on this topic.”